Gaming Apps Post-Stroke

Effect of Free Mobile or Tablet-based Applications on Stroke-Related Cognitive Impairment in Inpatient Rehabilitation

The investigators aim to explore the effect of puzzle mobile or tablet-based games on problem-solving impairment resulting from a first-time stroke. This is a randomized-controlled trial with the intervention arm consisting of puzzle gaming applications and the control arm consisting of stroke-relevant educational videos provided and encouraged throughout the course of participants' acute inpatient rehabilitation stay.

Study subjects will be randomized to a control or experimental group and allocation will be concealed. The experimental group will consist of the subject utilizing their personal mobile or tablet device to play a pre-selected set of problem-solving games for a goal of 1 hour daily. The control group will utilize their personal mobile or tablet device to perform the non-problem-solving task of watching educational videos of their choice from a pre-selected set of videos for the same amount of time daily. The intervention gaming arm will be provided different gaming apps if they lose interest or find a particular game too easy or too difficult. The control video arm will be provided different educational videos according to their needs that may change throughout their inpatient stay.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-89
2. Hospitalized at Loma Linda East Campus Rehabilitation Hospital
3. First time stroke patient
4. mild to moderate problem-solving impairment without severe deficit in any other cognitive domain on admission speech evaluation
5. Have daily access while inpatient to a personally owned Apple or Android smartphone or tablet device prior to the initial session.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to understand and follow verbal and written instructions in English
2. Presence of aphasia that limits device use or ability to provide consent
3. Presence of pre-stroke speech, language, or cognitive disorder
4. Unable to operate device due to cognitive, physical, or visual impairment