INTRODUCTION: The number of children with different cognitive
difficulties is constantly increasing. Still, too few evidence-based
pediatric neurocognitive rehabilitation programs exist. The main aim of the
study was to assess the efficiency and usability of computer-assisted
FORAMENRehab program for training specific components of attention in
children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and partial epilepsy (PE).
The second aim was to specify short- and long-term effects of the
intervention.
METHODS: Eight children between the ages of 9-12 years with
attention impairment (3 with PE and 5 with mTBI) and 18 healthy controls
participated. FORAMENRehab Attention software, adapted by the authors, was
used for intervention. Strict intervention protocol consisting of patients
completing 10 sessions over a 6-week-period to train four components of
attention (sustaining, focusing, dividing, tracking) was designed and
applied. Follow-up assessments were conducted after the end of the last
training and 1.63 years later.
RESULTS: After the intervention patients' sustained and complex
attention improved. Long-term follow-up revealed continuing positive
rehabilitation effects. 100% compliance suggested that the used method is
attractive for children.
CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results of the pilot study give
reason to presume that the method is effective in attention impairment
remediation. However, more thorough research is needed.
