Comparing adaptive tablet-based cognitive training and paper-and-pencil cognitive training: a pilot randomized controlled trial with community-dwelling stroke survivors.

Introduction: This study explored the feasibility and the preliminary efficacy of adaptive tablet-based cognitive training (CT) and paper-and-pencil CT approaches for mitigating multidomain post-stroke cognitive and noncognitive deficits. Methods: In this two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to the NeuroAIreh@b (NAIr; adaptive tablet-based CT inspired by activities of daily living) and the Task Generator (TG; adaptive paper-and-pencil CT). A non-randomized passive control group was recruited for comparative purposes. Interventions comprised 12 bi-weekly 30-minute sessions. Primary outcomes explored training effects on several cognitive (e.g., global cognition, episodic memory), and noncognitive domains (e.g., quality of life, functional abilities). Results: A total of 20 participants were randomized (NAIr: Conclusions: Findings suggest that adaptive CT interventions are feasible to implement and lead to cognitive and noncognitive improvements in community-dwelling stroke survivors. However, while both training approaches yield different short and medium/long-term benefits, the NAIr - a more ecologically valid method - was the only to promote generalization of training effects to functionality and quality of life at post-intervention and three-month follow-up, respectively. Trial registration: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT05929287. Registered July 3rd, 2023 (cf. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05929287).