Cognitive Rehabilitation in Patients with Gliomas and Other Brain Tumors: State of the Art

Table 3

Program of rehabilitation, timing of training, and domains trained.

Investigators (year, name)	Type of program	Timing	Cognitive functions improved
Maschio et al. (2015) [13]	TNP software (neuropsychological training software) was the program used for training. Training exercises included word and image lists, selection and recognition of targeted stimuli, spatial orientation, and phonological abilities.	Once a week for ten weeks.	Memory, attention, visuospatial functions, language, and reasoning.
Yang et al. (2014) [14]	Intervention group: virtual reality training based on real-time and three-dimensional environment and computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation together.; Control group: only computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation.	Intervention group: VR training was done 3 times a week for 30 minutes and computer cognitive rehabilitation 2 times a week for 30 minutes.; Control group: received computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation 5 times a week for 30 minutes.; Each group was trained for a total of 4 weeks.	Memory (spatial memory, recognition, sequential recall, verbal recall, verbal categorization, verbal and nonverbal memory), attention (discrimination, visual perception, auditory perception, continuous attention, integration, emotional attention).
Zucchella et al. (2013) [15]	Intervention group: computer exercises guided by a neuropsychologist, training different cognitive functions. Types of software utilized for computerized exercises were “training di riabilitazione cognitiva” and “una palestra per la mente.”; Both groups received usual medical and physiotherapy rehabilitative care.	Training was administered in one-hour sessions, four sessions per week, for 4 weeks (16 sessions in total).	Time and spatial orientation, visual attention, logical reasoning, memory, and executive functions.
Hassler et al. (2010) [16]	The program used in this study was the holistic mnemonic training program developed by Dr. Stengel. This training comprised the use of all the senses, emotions, and intellect of patients in exercises designed to develop skills in everyday life. Each session addressed, separately, all aspects of mental activity.	One session a week for 10 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes.	Perception, concentration, attention, memory, retentiveness, verbal memory, and creativity.
Gehring et al. (2009) [17]	Intervention group: cognitive retraining and compensation techniques. Compensation training consisted of six psychoeducational sessions that included both practical and tutorial lessons targeted at improving memory, attention, and executive functions. Regarding the retraining consisting of a specific computer program developed by the researchers (Concentration Car, C-Car),  patients were asked also to complete the computerized homework. Three months after the end of the training, patients received a follow-up session by telephone aimed at strengthening certain aspects of the compensation training.; Control group received usual care only and no cognitive rehabilitation training. At the end of the intervention group’s training, the control group also received rehabilitation training.	The intervention group received cognitive training in two-hour sessions for six weeks.	Attention, memory, and executive function.
Locke et al. (2008) [18]	The rehabilitation program used provided both cognitive rehabilitation and problem-solving therapy. In interventions group, patients and caregiver learned to use a memory notebook for compensation of memory deficits and a positive problem-solving model useful in everyday life.; Control group received standard medical care and no rehabilitation.	Six sessions of both cognitive rehabilitation and problem-solving therapy, over two weeks.	Memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Sherer et al. (1997) [19]	The goal of rehabilitation therapy was individual for each patient: return to work or increased community independence or return to school. Once a patient improved his/her functions at hospital, he/she was transitioned to an occupational setting therapy where he/she could perform skills similar to the desired vocational goal. At the end of the program, patients were helped to return to their desired productive activities.	The typical session day lasted 5 hours.

Description of the rehabilitation programs used in studies taken into consideration, timing of training, and domains trained. Studies are presented in chronological order of publication.