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CNRU researcher Jonas kristoffer Lindeløv is will defend his PhD thesis entitled: "Computer- and Suggestion-based Cognitive Rehabilitation following Acquired Brain Injury"
2015.08.31 |
| Date | Mon 07 Sep |
| Time | 14:15 — 16:30 |
| Location | Pathology Auditorium, AUH building 18, Nørrebrogade 44, Aarhus C. |
Abstract:
Impairment of working memory and attention are frequent sequelae of acquired brain injury experienced by millions of people all over the world. However, there are currently no cost-effective treatments for such impairments. This thesis is an empirical exploration of two candidate cost-effective treatments: computer-based and suggestion-based treatments.
Based on negative findings from a RCT and a comprehensive meta-analysis, it is concluded that computer-based training in general is unsuitable as a means to rehabilitate high-level cognitive functions in patients with acquired brain injury. A pervasive problem in drill-and-practice interventions is to factor out task-specific effects when assessing transfer-effects. I present four methodological criteria which must be fulfilled to claim that a transfer effect was found.
In a third study, we used hypnotic suggestions to target impaired working memory capacity. There was a unique and persistent effect of these targeted hypnotic suggestions as compared to a closely matched hypnotic control condition and very large effects compared to a passive control group.
I conclude that there is solid evidence that computer-based methods are ineffective and that positive reports were largely driven by methodological inadequacies. In contrast, there is encouraging, though preliminary, evidence that a suggestion-based method was highly effective for improving working memory performance following acquired brain injury.
After the defense there will be a small reception outside the auditorium.
ALL ARE WELCOME