Cognitive Interventions: Brain Training and Rehabilitation

The research pertaining to two types of cognitive interventions is reviewed. Brain training, which utilizes a variety of computer based approaches, is designed to improve normal performance by developing cognitive skills. Cognitive remediation is designed to improve performance in the face of acquired deficits. Such programs are designed to help patients with existing mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Although not uniform, there is mounting evidence that these interventions have a beneficial effect. However, research also suggests the beneficial effect of such programs is often limited to the specific type of task trained, with generalization to real-life performance more questionable. Patients improve specific cognitive domains that do not necessarily correlate with improvements in activities of daily life. The findings and limitations of current research are discussed along with directions for future research.