The Impact of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Improving Executive Functions and Brain Flexibility in Diabetic Patien

This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation on executive functions and brain flexibility in patients with diabetes. Thirty diabetic patients attending a diabetes clinic in Yazd were randomly assigned to intervention (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The intervention group received 10 sessions of Attentive Rehabilitation of Attention and Memory (ARAM) over four weeks, while the control group received routine clinical care. Executive functions and brain flexibility were assessed at pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Mixed analysis of variance showed significant improvements in categories correctly sorted and reductions in perseverative errors in the intervention group compared to controls at post-test and follow-up. These findings indicate that structured cognitive rehabilitation can enhance executive functioning and brain flexibility in diabetic patients, potentially mitigating diabetes-related cognitive deficits.