Thurs. 18.30-19.25

Walter Sturm

Attention disorders are very common and can be expected in about 80% of brain injuries of various aetiologies. The therapy of attention disorders is therefore of central importance for the possibilities of reintegration into everyday life and academic appointments. The evidence-based guidelines developed by the Society for Neuropsychology for the diagnosis and treatment of attention disorders caused by brain damage, which have been agreed and published with all professional groups involved in rehabilitation, are presented.
Depending on the quality of the disorder, attention functions must be treated in a highly specific manner. In the case of attention intensity disorders in particular, the use of unsuitable, overly complex therapy programmes can even lead to a further deterioration in function. In contrast to other cognitive functions, at least some attention functions can be directly influenced by computer-assisted stimulation therapy without the patient having to be taught special strategies. However, these stimulating and activating procedures may need to be supplemented by other measures (e.g. self-instruction techniques) and behavioural therapy methods, by help in organising everyday life (e.g. avoiding distractions, taking breaks) and also by involving and reorganising the patient's environment.
In addition to improvements in formal attentional performance, a positive influence of the therapy on everyday functions was also observed.