The research team, led by Dr. Amit Kumar Soni, Mohit Kumar, and Saroj Kothari from Devi Ahilya University, conducted a rigorous randomized controlled trial involving fifty male stroke survivors. The program utilized advanced technology to continuously adapt the difficulty of cognitive exercises based on each patient’s real-time performance, ensuring that the rehabilitation remained engaging and tailored to their specific needs.
Participants who underwent the adaptive training showed significant improvements in key cognitive functions, including processing speed, category fluency, and visual confrontation naming, when compared to those receiving standard care. By tailoring the tasks to the patient’s abilities, the program not only enhanced cognitive recovery but also maintained patient engagement and minimized frustration, a common challenge in traditional rehabilitation methods.
This home-based computerized program provides a transformative approach to stroke rehabilitation. Its accessibility eliminates the need for frequent hospital visits, offering a cost-effective solution that ensures high-quality care for patients in remote or underserved areas. The program’s interactive design and personalized adjustments create an engaging experience that encourages patients to adhere to the regimen, further amplifying its effectiveness.
Dr. Amit Kumar Soni emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, “Our research demonstrates that personalized, adaptive cognitive training can play a critical role in post-stroke recovery. By addressing individual patient needs, this method ensures better outcomes and a more seamless integration into daily life.” He added that this approach could pave the way for broader applications in treating other neurological conditions, such as dementia and traumatic brain injuries, by using similar adaptive technologies.
This study also highlights the potential of computer-based teletreatment as the future of rehabilitation. By integrating advanced adaptive algorithms into rehabilitation programs, this method ensures that therapy evolves with the patient’s progress, optimizing recovery outcomes and reducing barriers to care. While cognitive improvements were substantial, translating these gains into everyday functional abilities remains an area for further exploration.
Dr. Amit Kumar Soni, a clinical psychologist and professor at Devi Ahilya University, brings extensive experience in cognitive rehabilitation. He previously served in the neurorehabilitation unit at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, where he honed his expertise in developing innovative treatments for neurological impairments. Together with his colleagues, Mohit Kumar and Saroj Kothari, this research marks a significant contribution to the field of stroke rehabilitation.
For further details and to read the full study, visit Nature Scientific Reports, Volume 15, Article number: 1072 (2025). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-85511-3
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