Cognitive prosthetics: an overview to a method of treatment

This paper is the first survey of the cognitive prosthetics field. Neurorehabilitation based on cognitive prosthetics is now reimbursed as a conventional therapy by many national insurance companies. The need for cognitive prosthetics is described in terms of gaps in rehabilitation methods, and a r esponse to managed care limitations on duration of services. A definition is developed from work in the field, and a cognitive prosthesis is distinguished from both electronic aids as well as from conventional computer software. Some key concepts from computer science are reviewed, along with their significance to cognitive prosthetics. Key studies are reviewed, and show the accomplishments of researchers, differences in their orientation, as well as the impact of computer and communications advances over the past decade. There is a discussion of future research. A key problem is the need to make cognitive prosthetics rehabilitation more user friendly to the therapist. This will be necessary if cognitive prosthetics is to gain widespread use in rehabilitation facilities.