Effects of computer assisted training combined with the actual environment training on vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia after stoke

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of computer assisted training combined with the actual environment training on vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia (VCIND)after stoke. Methods Sixty elderly patients with VCIND after stroke were randomly divided into a research group and a control group, each of 30. All patients were given routine medication and rehabilitation training, while the research group was additionally provided with computer assisted training and the actual environment training lasting two months. All patients' cognitive function and activities of daily life (ADL) in both groups were assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment scale(MoCA) and modified Barthel index(MBI) before and after treatment. Results After two months of treatment, the total score of MoCA(22.80±4.63) and the scores of seven subprojects including visual space(4.00±0.93), naming (2.67±0.62), attention(4.13±0.74), language(2.33±0.62), abstract thinking(1.60±0.83), delayed memory(2.93±0.70) and orientation(5.13±1.19) in the research group were significantly higher than those before treatment and those of the control group. However, in the control group, only the total score and the scores of naming, language and delayed memory in the control group significantly were higher than those before treatment. After treatment, the scores of MBI in both group were significantly promoted, reaching (61.53±7.13) and (52.20±4.93) for the research and control group respectively, with the former improving more significantly than the latter. Conclusion The computer assisted training combined with the actual environment training helps to improve cognitive function and ADL for patients with VCIND after stoke. Such combined therapy is worth of promoting in clinical practice. Key words: Vascular cognitive impairment no dementia; The Montreal cognitive assessment scale; Computer assisted training; Actual environment training