Are cognitive retraining software products such as Luminosity, Brain Fitness, Brain Train considered to be useful for training compensatory strategies or are they more of a restorative type of therapy?
Answer
I have had different applications with these types of products. I really like software like Brain Fit and others for older individuals because they help keep us mentally ‘sharp’. They can also be great to use with patients who are on some type of home program provided the individual has an adequate attention span. So, these types of products do have some value but I would not use them as the sole purpose of my therapy session. I would not be in favor of that. As a clinician, it is my job to assess the patient and to know when to advance in therapy. That is going to be hard to do with just software applications. They can provide excellent reinforcement for something that is a 70% or greater response. Below that I think the patient is going to deal with some frustration.
Sue Curfman has been in the field of healthcare for 30 years with experience across the continuum of care including acute hospital, inpatient rehab, home health, outpatient and skilled nursing. She is a speech pathologist by training and serves as the Assistant Vice President for Post Acute Services at Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, IL.
Susan M. Curfman, MA, CCC-SLP
Sue Curfman has been in the field of healthcare for 30 years with experience across the continuum of care including acute hospital, inpatient rehab, home health, outpatient and skilled nursing. She is a speech pathologist by training and serves as the Assistant Vice President for Post Acute Services at Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, IL. She is responsible for the clinical, operational and fiscal management of inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, adult day care and outpatient therapy services. Sue also holds certificates in Case Management and Quality Management.
The presenter has no financial considerations or relationships with any products related to this presentation.
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