Technology for Cognitive Rehabilitation - Spotlight Event

Exploring the nuts and bolts of technology for compensation and restitution of cognition after a brain injury.

You know that cognitive issues following a TBI are often a major cause of long-lasting disability. After all, cognitive abilities underpin all of our self-directed human behaviours. These abilities influence everything from performing basic activities of daily living through to the more complex tasks of maintaining mental health, driving a car and performing tasks at work. When cognition is damaged it can have a dramatic impact on quality of life. Sadly however, research suggests 80% of persons who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) believe that their need to improve their cognition had not been met at one year post injury? So what’s missing? Is cognitive rehabilitation not as effective as we would like? Can technology help? Is it all about resources? It is certainly a reflection of the complexity of the issues.

Recent advances in neuroscience and neuroplasticity highlight the fact that, given the
right stimulus, the brain can revive and reconfigure in many situations that would have been thought impossible not so long ago. Translating this knowledge into evidence-based clinical intervention is complex though and the search for evidence has been challenging. Of course, from the point of view of brain injured clients the adoption of best practice can’t happen fast enough!

This one day event will be suitable for all professionals inspired to work with individuals recovering from catastrophic injury - but especially those dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury and interested in the latest technology to assist with compensation and restitution strategies.

Programme Outline:

Session1: Fundamental Themes in Cognitive Rehabilitation
This session will explore the challenges, advantages and current attitudes towards compensatory and restitutional training following brain injury as well as exploring the legal perspective in the area.

Session 2: Can Telehealth Provide an Effective Vehicle for Delivering Rehabilitation in the Home Environment
This session profiles the growing area of telehealth and its benefits to both the client and and health services. We learn about three technologies currently changing the face of telehealth - Teleswallowing, React2.com and RehaCom.

Session 3: Emerging Technologies and Therapies
This session looks toward the future with an insight into the flourishing areas of neurofeedback, and sleep assessment and treatment in following TBI.

Each sessions wlil allow for a Q&A and there will be time during the breaks to explore technology on display. Programme is subject to change. Lunch is provided.