Learning objectives
1. Knowledge and understanding. Students will learn a good understanding of approachs and techniques of rehabilitation for specific memory function that would allow them to process and/or apply them in the context of basic and applied research.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Students will be able to apply the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in dealing with issues clinical/rehabilitative such as mild cognitive impairment, dementia, traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries and PTSD starting from the assessment and the treatment to finish at the verify of clinical outcomes in interdisciplinary contexts.
3. Independence of judgment. Students will develop critical thinking skills and independent judgment with respect to the formulation of rehabilitation and functional rehabilitation protocols that include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge.
4. Communication skills. Students will be able to communicate clearly and unambiguously their observations, procedures and conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale, to specialist and non-specialist.
5. Learning ability. Students will be able to upgrade from reliable sources and to continue their professional development on their own.
Course unit content
The course aims to offer state of the art and the evidence of effectiveness concerning the neurocognitive treatment of functions of memory resulting from degenerative diseases (MCI, dementia, multiple sclerosis), traumatic or not traumatic origin (stroke, cerebrovascular events, head trauma, PTSD) examining the potential interactions between features patient, interventions and outcome. The course deals with the possibilities of recovery, compensation and rehabilitation based on the functional brain plasticity illustrating the most recent rehabilitation approaches and specific techniques which aimed to promote independence and social integration of the individual. Particular attention is addressed to the increasing interest, in a preventive perspective, devoted to the life styles modification programs.
Full programme
•What does it mean recovery of functions, it is possible to recover and how?
•Changes in the memory functioning as a result of intervention or rehabilitation
Cognitive and behavioral methods. •Stimulation and functional rehabilitation of the preserved abilities (explicit and implicit memory, prospective memory, external aid and prosthetic environments).
• Evaluations of rehabilitation programs of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) respect of pharmacotherapy and neuro-modulation techniques.
• Major Neurocognitive Disorders: diagnostic criteria and interventions
•Traumatic brain injurie (TBI): diagnosis, mechanisms, epidemiology, outcome, management, quality of life
•Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): risk factors, classifications (embolic, ischemic, thrombotic, lacunar) assessment tools, guidelines. Rehabilitation approach, Action Observation Therapy (AOT) Mirror Therapy (MT)
•Treatment of mood symptoms associated with the losses of memory.
•Environmental modification and prosthetic intervention.
•Assessment and counseling to the patient, family and care-givers.
Technology at the service of rehabilitation: rehabilitation software, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), computerized training and BCI (Brain Computer Interface).
•EEG biofeedback or neurofeedback and brain stimulation.
•Outcomes verification and evidence of effectiveness.
Bibliography
Pino, O. (2017). Ricucire i ricordi. La memoria, i suoi disturbi, evidenze di efficacia dei trattamenti riabilitativi. Milano: Mondadori Università.
Ladavas, E. (2012). La riabilitazione neuropsicologica. Bologna: Il Mulino (for non-attending students).
Only for the student who attend classes: a written group report (to be delivered one week before the exam) based on three from the following scientific papers:
1) Hannigan, C., Coen, R.F., Lawlor, B.A. et al. (2015). The NEIL Memory Research Unit: psychosocial, biological, physiological and lifestyle factors associated with healthy ageing: study protocol. BMC Psychol 3, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-015-0079-y
2) Claire L. Thompson, Julie D. Henry, Peter G. Rendell, Adrienne Withall,
Nicole A. Kochan, Perminder Sachdev & Henry Brodaty (2017) Prospective memory function and cue salience in mild cognitive impairment: Findings from the Sydney Memory and
Ageing Study, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 39:10, 941-953, doi:
10.1080/13803395.2017.1281382
3) Gaspari M, Zini F, Stecchi S. (2020). Enhancing cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis with a disease-specific tool. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol.1:1-14. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1849432.
4) Ge, S. et al., (2018). Technology-based cognitive training and rehabilitation interventions for individuals with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 18, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-0893-1
5) Kober SE, Schweiger D, Witte M, Reichert JL, Grieshofer P, Neuper C, Wood G. (2015). Specific effects of EEG based neurofeedback training on memory functions in post-stroke victims. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2015 Dec 1;12:107. doi: 10.1186/s12984-015-0105-6.
6) Pino, O., Palestra, G., Trevino, R. et al. (2020). The Humanoid Robot NAO as Trainer in a Memory Program for Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Int J of Soc Robotics 12, 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00533-y
7) Hassandra M, Galanis E, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Goudas M, Mouzakidis C, Karathanasi EM, Petridou N, Tsolaki M, Zikas P, Evangelou G, Papagiannakis G, Bellis G, Kokkotis C, Panagiotopoulos SR, Giakas G, Theodorakis Y (2021).
Α Virtual Reality App for Physical and Cognitive Training of Older People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study
JMIR Serious Games; 9(1):e24170
doi: 10.2196/24170
8) Erten, M. N., & Brown, A. D. (2018). Memory Specificity Training for Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Promising Therapeutic Intervention. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 419. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00419
9) Pathak YJ, Greenleaf W, Verhagen Metman L, Kubben P, Sarma S, Pepin B, Lautner D, DeBates S, Benison AM, Balasingh B and Ross E (2021) Digital Health Integration With Neuromodulation Therapies: The Future of Patient-Centric Innovation in Neuromodulation. Front. Digit. Health 3:618959.
doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.618959
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids or video-recording of the lectures. Video tutorial, scientific paper analysis and practise may accompany the lectures and will be uploaded on Elly platform with the aim to actively involve students.
To download the slides, you need to register for the online course.
The slides are considered as integral part of the teaching material. Non-attending students are reminded to check the teaching material available and the information provided through the Elly platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
As mid-term progress attending classes students will be requested to propose a group power-point presentation basing on 3 scientific papers among those proposed. The report will shown the ability of learning, understanding, processing the scientific (assessed in three classes).
The oral examination will ascertain the attainment of all the objectives of the course.
Any questions regarding the contents tend to check whether the student has attained a solid foundation of knowledge and a deep understanding of what has been treated. Questions about rehabilitation protocols and functional rehabilitation will reflect the acquisition of analytical ability, critical, independent judgment and responsibility. The final evaluation will be derived from the accuracy levels achieved for each training goal and will be expressed on a 0-30 rating scale.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
