Effectiveness of Task Specific Cognitive Rehabilitation Protocol on Higher Mental Function Impairments in Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of task-specific cognitive rehabilitation (TSCR) in improving higher mental function impairments in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Setting: Community Participants: 28 participants with moderate to severe TBI between 18 to 55 years old with Rancho Los Amigos (RLA) cognitive level of 5 and above. Out of 28 participants, 2 participants declined to continue in the study. Design: Randomized Clinical Trial. Participants were grouped into interventional and control groups. The intervention group received task-specific cognitive rehabilitation. The intervention consisted of a 4-week program focused on activities that enhance cognitive domains such as attention, memory, executive function, and problem-solving skills. Pre- and post- intervention assessments were conducted. Key measures: Standardized neuropsychological tests and functional outcome measures were the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Mini-Cog Scale. Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in higher mental functions than the control group. Specific gains were observed in the Mini-Mental Status Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Mini-Cog scale with p < 0.01. Functional outcomes also showed marked enhancement in the intervention group, with significant improvements in daily living activities and overall quality of life (p < 0.05). No side effects were reported, indicating the safety of the task-specific cognitive rehabilitation program. Conclusion: Task-specific cognitive rehabilitation is an effective intervention for improving higher mental function impairments in individuals with TBI. These findings support the integration of task-specific strategies in cognitive rehabilitation programs to e nhance cognitive and functional recovery post-TBI.