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Open Access 01-05-2018 | Clinical Study

Feasibility of the evidence-based cognitive telerehabilitation program Remind for patients with primary brain tumors

Authors: Sophie D. van der Linden, Margriet M. Sitskoorn, Geert-Jan M. Rutten, Karin Gehring

Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 3/2018

Abstract

Many patients with primary brain tumors experience cognitive deficits. Cognitive rehabilitation programs focus on alleviating these deficits, but availability of such programs is limited. Our large randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated positive effects of the cognitive rehabilitation program developed by our group. We converted the program into the iPad-based cognitive rehabilitation program ReMind, to increase its accessibility. The app incorporates psychoeducation, strategy training and retraining. This pilot study in patients with primary brain tumors evaluates the feasibility of the use of the ReMind-app in a clinical (research) setting in terms of accrual, attrition, adherence and patient satisfaction. The intervention commenced 3 months after resective surgery and patients were advised to spend 3 h per week on the program for 10 weeks. Of 28 eligible patients, 15 patients with presumed low-grade glioma or meningioma provided informed consent. Most important reason for decline was that patients (7) experienced no cognitive complaints. Participants completed on average 71% of the strategy training and 76% of the retraining. Some patients evaluated the retraining as too easy. Overall, 85% of the patients evaluated the intervention as “good” or “excellent”. All patients indicated that they would recommend the program to other patients with brain tumors. The ReMind-app is the first evidence-based cognitive telerehabilitation program for adult patients with brain tumors and this pilot study suggests that postoperative cognitive rehabilitation via this app is feasible. Based on patients’ feedback, we have expanded the retraining with more difficult exercises. We will evaluate the efficacy of ReMind in an RCT.

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Title: Feasibility of the evidence-based cognitive telerehabilitation program Remind for patients with primary brain tumors
Authors: Sophie D. van der Linden
Margriet M. Sitskoorn
Geert-Jan M. Rutten
Karin Gehring
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0167-594X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-017-2738-8

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Feasibility of the evidence-based cognitive telerehabilitation program Remind for patients with primary brain tumors

Abstract

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