Memory Training in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients

In this prospective randomized, control clinical trial subjects have a self-reported disabling memory deficit within the first two years of their ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Subjects will be recruited in the neurosurgery clinic setting, via email and phone screen, through social media and phone screen, or during a monthly support group for the patient population in question. During the screening interview the inclusion and exclusion criteria are assessed and informed consent is obtained if needed. Those who qualify for the study will undergo a baseline assessment involving Checklist for cognitive and emotional consequences following stroke (CLCE-24), Working memory questionnaire, Activity of Daily living Questionnaire, and a Lumosity Administered assessment. After baseline assessments randomization will occur stratified according to duration since SAH \<12 or \>12 months, to either a treatment group, which will include online access to structure-oriented activities (Lumosity), or an active control group(online crossword puzzles). Subjects in the intervention group will undergo twenty training sessions over 10 weeks involving cognitive games selected from Lumocity. Games will be customized using an automated algorithm supplied by Lumosity, to determine performance in the various targeted skills, which include: task switching, logical reasoning, quantitative reasoning, response inhibition, numerical calculation, working memory, face-name recall, selective attention, spatial recall, spatial orientations, planning, and divided attention. The recommended duration of interaction is 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. The control group uses a computerized crossword puzzle. the puzzle is offered in three different puzzle sizes, levels of complexity, and font sizes. these puzzles do not provide progressive challenge to the user by either increased speed, visual field size, number of distractors, or degree of difficulty of target stimulus differentiation.