Effectiveness of brain—computer interfaces and cognitive training using computer technologies in restoring cognitive functions in patients after stroke

Abstract

To study the effectiveness of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and cognitive training using computer technologies in restoring cognitive functions in poststroke patients. Thirty-four stroke patients (mean age 59.3±10.8 years) with stroke duration of 5.1±4.7 months, were included. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, patients before and after treatment were tested using memorization of words according to the method of Luria A.R. «10 words», the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), the Clock Drawing Test (CDT). All patients received standard rehabilitation therapy (exercise therapy, physiotherapy, sessions with a speech therapist-neuropsychologist). Patients of the first group additionally received training on the «Neurochat» complex, patients of the second group - on the «Exokist-2» complex, patients of the third group - cognitive training according to standard programs using computer technology and visual material. Patients of the three groups showed a significant improvement in the total MoCA score: in the 1st and 2nd groups - p<0.01, in the 3rd group - p<0.05. According to CDT, there was a significant change in the 2nd group (p=0.018). The Luria method «10 words» revealed an improvement in memory in all groups (p<0.01, p<0.05), being more pronounced in the 1st and 2nd groups. The effectiveness of BCI in restoring cognitive functions in patients after a stroke in comparison with cognitive training without BCI has been demonstrated. However, there are reasons to believe that various BCIs have a specific effect on cognitive functions and have their own target group.