Cognitive prosthetics: an overview to a method of treatment

This paper is the first survey of the cognitive prosthetics field. Neuroreh abilitation based on cognitive prosthetics is now reimbursed as a conventio nal therapy by many national insurance companies. The need for cognitive pr osthetics is described in terms of gaps in rehabilitation methods, and a re sponse to managed care limitations on duration of services. A definition is developed from work in the field, and a cognitive prosthesis is distinguis hed from both electronic aids as well as from conventional computer softwar e. Some key concepts from computer science are reviewed, along with their s ignificance to cognitive prosthetics. Key studies are reviewed, and show th e 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 ma ke cognitive prosthetics rehabilitation more user friendly to the therapist . This will be necessary if cognitive prosthetics is to gain widespread use in rehabilitation facilities.