262 Ab.siracts from Nor on the basis of other features, such as anxiety and irritability, rather than localized brain dysfunction per se. Cognitive ~habilitation of an Ornithologist/Technical Writer Three Months Post-Ope~ti~e Clipping of Anterior Communicatjng Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm. Edward A. Peck and Bernadine D. Bryant (Virginia Commonwealth University) A %-year-old male was referred for cognitive rehabilitation (CR) three months post-neurosurgical procedure. His family noted problems in thinking and behavior. As the result, he was unable to return to work as a technical writer and Ornithologist. Neuropsychological evaluation indicated a pattern of deficits suggestive of an individual who has sustained impairment to the frontal system and in particular, to the orbitofrontal region. An intensive CR program was designed to (1) facilitate the use of memory tech- niques, (2) to improve organizational skills, (3) use visual and auditory memory skills more efficiently. Self-vocalization skills were also used to help with memory, judgment, and organizational skills. Computer based software was used along with individual face to face directed tutoring to address cognitive functions in the areas of selective attention, vigilance, and visual perceptual skills as well as verbal memory. Impressive results were demonstrated by the patient. Attention to the task, memory, and higher level reasoning skills greatly improved. Preservative tendencies were markedly diminished. Neuropsychological reevaluation after three months of intensive CR revealed markedly increased verbal reasoning skills and improvement in Verbal-Performance-based IQ. Initially the patient’s prorated FS IQ was I23 (superi- or range). Follow-up examination revealed the prorated FS IQ to be 133 (very superi- or range). Both his family and his neurosurgeon noted that considerable improvement had occurred during the CR training period. The patient subsequently returned to his business interests. Comparison of Changes in Cognitive Functioning of Non-Impaired Family Members and Brain-Impaired Patients. D. A. Sena, H. M. Sena and R. R. Sunde (Colorado Springs Neuropsychology Laboratory and Brain Training Center) This study compared non-injured family members (n=6) with brain-impaired patients (n = 13). Cognitive functioning was compared at initial contact and one year later. Changes in cognitive functionjng within each group were examined. Cognitive variables were test scores from neuropsychological evaluation. Treatment group par- ticipated in an outpatient cognitive retraining program using a modified REHABIT model. Family group had no treament and no brain injury. T-Tests were used to determine significance for between and within group comparisons. Initially, family members were significantly better in cognitive abilities. After a year, the family group maintained higher levels of funtioning, but the differences were not as great. Striking differences between groups emerged for changes within groups. Treatment group demonstrated significant improvement for 18 of 30 scores. Family group had only 3 significant changes all in the direction of improvement.

Cognitive rehabilitation of ornithologist/technical writer three months post-operative clipping of anterior communicating artery and middle cerebral artery aneurysm Edward A. Peck

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Page 1: Cognitive rehabilitation of ornithologist/technical writer three months post-operative clipping of anterior communicating artery and middle cerebral artery aneurysm Edward A. Peck

262 Ab.siracts

from Nor on the basis of other features, such as anxiety and irritability, rather than localized brain dysfunction per se.

Cognitive ~habilitation of an Ornithologist/Technical Writer Three Months Post-Ope~ti~e Clipping of Anterior Communicatjng Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm. Edward A. Peck and Bernadine D. Bryant (Virginia Commonwealth University)

A %-year-old male was referred for cognitive rehabilitation (CR) three months post-neurosurgical procedure. His family noted problems in thinking and behavior. As the result, he was unable to return to work as a technical writer and Ornithologist. Neuropsychological evaluation indicated a pattern of deficits suggestive of an individual who has sustained impairment to the frontal system and in particular, to the orbitofrontal region.

An intensive CR program was designed to (1) facilitate the use of memory tech- niques, (2) to improve organizational skills, (3) use visual and auditory memory skills more efficiently. Self-vocalization skills were also used to help with memory, judgment, and organizational skills. Computer based software was used along with individual face to face directed tutoring to address cognitive functions in the areas of selective attention, vigilance, and visual perceptual skills as well as verbal memory.

Impressive results were demonstrated by the patient. Attention to the task, memory, and higher level reasoning skills greatly improved. Preservative tendencies were markedly diminished. Neuropsychological reevaluation after three months of intensive CR revealed markedly increased verbal reasoning skills and improvement in Verbal-Performance-based IQ. Initially the patient’s prorated FS IQ was I23 (superi- or range). Follow-up examination revealed the prorated FS IQ to be 133 (very superi- or range). Both his family and his neurosurgeon noted that considerable improvement had occurred during the CR training period. The patient subsequently returned to his business interests.

Comparison of Changes in Cognitive Functioning of Non-Impaired Family Members and Brain-Impaired Patients. D. A. Sena, H. M. Sena and R. R. Sunde (Colorado Springs Neuropsychology Laboratory and Brain Training Center)

This study compared non-injured family members (n=6) with brain-impaired patients (n = 13). Cognitive functioning was compared at initial contact and one year later. Changes in cognitive functionjng within each group were examined. Cognitive variables were test scores from neuropsychological evaluation. Treatment group par- ticipated in an outpatient cognitive retraining program using a modified REHABIT model. Family group had no treament and no brain injury. T-Tests were used to determine significance for between and within group comparisons.

Initially, family members were significantly better in cognitive abilities. After a year, the family group maintained higher levels of funtioning, but the differences were not as great. Striking differences between groups emerged for changes within groups. Treatment group demonstrated significant improvement for 18 of 30 scores. Family group had only 3 significant changes all in the direction of improvement.