Brain-training software for stroke survivors

Brain-training software and websites are becoming more prevalent nowadays because of their wide availability and the key idea that they enable people to independently improve their memory and problem solving skills. Such systems offer a simple alternative to expensive specialized stroke rehabilitation software. Our research seeks to investigate the feasibility of using web-based brain-training software to help stroke survivors and, in general, individuals with cognitive impairments. We observed and interviewed stroke survivors to get a better understanding of the technologies that they feel are helpful, as well as examine the effectiveness and limitations of such technologies. We compiled an informal set of guidelines that such systems should follow in order to be effective and usable rehabilitation software aimed to help stroke survivors or individuals with cognitive impairments. To validate the guidelines and see if new ones emerged, we developed a low-fidelity prototype of a web-based brain-training software and tested it with five participants to check its feasibility as a cognitive rehabilitation software solution. The result was an improved set of guidelines for software that aims to improve the cognitive skills of stroke survivors and, in general, individuals with cognitive impairments.