Evidence map›Paper›PMID 28257436›Full record

Trial reportPloS one2017

Brain training improves recovery after stroke but waiting list improves equally: A multicenter randomized controlled trial of a computer-based cognitive flexibility training.

Renate M van de Ven, Jessika I V Buitenweg, Ben Schmand, Dick J Veltman, Justine A Aaronson, Tanja C W Nijboer, Suzanne J C Kruiper-Doesborgh, Coen A M van Bennekom, Sascha M C Rasquin, K Richard Ridderinkhof and 1 more

Open access · goldAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers, 7 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
22citing papers in PubMed, 7 pooled it
4.7field-weighted citation impact, top 5% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

22 citing papers in PubMed, 7 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 58 citations in OpenAlex.

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  4. Occupational therapy for cognitive impairment in stroke patients.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022
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  7. Cognitive rehabilitation for attention deficits following stroke.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2019
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 7 institutions in 1 country.

Renate M van de VenDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9422-3787
Jessika I V BuitenwegDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ben SchmandDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Dick J VeltmanDepartment of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Justine A AaronsonDepartment of Research and Development, Heliomare Rehabilitation Center, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands.
Tanja C W NijboerCenter of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Suzanne J C Kruiper-DoesborghAmsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Coen A M van BennekomDepartment of Research and Development, Heliomare Rehabilitation Center, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands.
Sascha M C RasquinAdelante-Zorggroep, Maastricht University, Caphri, Rehabilitation Medicine, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
K Richard RidderinkhofDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jaap M J MurreDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
University of Amsterdam · NLHeliomare · NLAmsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · NLAmsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NLMaastricht University · NLReade · NLUtrecht University · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBrain training is currently widely used in an attempt to improve cognitive functioning. Computer-based training can be performed at home and could therefore be an effective add-on to available rehabilitation programs aimed at improving cognitive functioning. Several studies have reported cognitive improvements after computer training, but most lacked proper active and passive control conditions.

objectiveOur aim was to investigate whether computer-based cognitive flexibility training improves executive functioning after stroke. We also conducted within-group analyses similar to those used in previous studies, to assess inferences about transfer effects when comparisons to proper control groups are missing.

methodsWe conducted a randomized controlled, double blind trial. Adults (30-80 years old) who had suffered a stroke within the last 5 years were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 38), active control group (i.e., mock training; n = 35), or waiting list control group (n = 24). The intervention and mock training consisted of 58 half-hour sessions within a 12-week period. Cognitive functioning was assessed using several paper-and-pencil and computerized neuropsychological tasks before the training, immediately after training, and 4 weeks after training completion. RESULTS AND

conclusionsBoth training groups improved on training tasks, and all groups improved on several transfer tasks (three executive functioning tasks, attention, reasoning, and psychomotor speed). Improvements remained 4 weeks after training completion. However, the amount of improvement in executive and general cognitive functioning in the intervention group was similar to that of both control groups (active control and waiting list). Therefore, this improvement was likely due to training-unspecific effects. Our results stress the importance to include both active and passive control conditions in the study design and analyses. Results from studies without proper control conditions should be interpreted with care.

Indexed as

CognitionExecutive FunctionPsychomotor PerformanceAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAttentionBrainDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsStrokeStroke Rehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID28257436
PMCPMC5336244
OpenAlexW2593466176

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.