Theoretical, Methodological and Practical Foundations of Cognitive Rehabilitation in Adults with Acquired Brain Damage

Abstract

The high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction associated with acquired brain damage makes cognitive rehabilitation an essential alternative in the context of neurorehabilitation. Frequently, cognitive deficits interfere to a greater degree in people's social and labor reintegration than physical sequelae. The aim of this article is to theoretically define some aspects related to cognitive rehabilitation and the methodological principles necessary for the development of a rehabilitation program for these functions. From a methodological point of view, an analysis of the definitions developed by different contemporary authors was carried out and the advantages that computer support provides in relation to conventional rehabilitation methods were described. To do this, the literature published up to December 2019 in MedLine, Embase, Hinari, Lilacs and SciELO databases was reviewed. Controlled vocabulary was used in the search strategy. As results, it was obtained that cognitive rehabilitation constitutes one of the fundamental tasks for neuropsychology. However, the multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach to cognitive disorders is considered very important. Thus, in recent years there has been a notable boom in the development of cognitive intervention studies, especially in patients with brain lesions of traumatic or vascular etiology. It was concluded that the introduction of new cognitive rehabilitation tools, in line with the development of neurosciences, represents a need and a challenge for health professionals.