NeuronUP Labs
List of research
with NeuronUP
At NeuronUP Labs we are interested in lines of research that increase technological innovation at NeuronUP, providing a solid foundation for scientific progress in the field of cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation.
Conditions
Intervention
Published research articles
The NeuronUP platform, as a cognitive assessment and intervention tool, is part of several research projects.
Randomized controlled trials
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Effects of immersive virtual reality and adaptive cognitive training on cognition and functionality in mild cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized clinical trial
Arnau Puig Davi, Andrea Moreu Valls, Ignacio Aracil Bolaños, Alba Fernandez
Cocaño, Jon Rodríguez Antigüedad, Gabriel Kulisevsky, Andrea Horta Barba, Javier Pagonabarraga & Saul
Martinez Horta
Jaime Kulisevsky
Cognitive impairment is one of the most frequent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Many people begin to notice memory, attention or planning problems even in early stages, and there are currently no specific drug treatments to slow them down. That is why exploring non-pharmacological alternatives that help maintain functionality is becoming increasingly important.
A recent clinical trial conducted at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau evaluated two innovative forms of cognitive stimulation: an immersive virtual reality program and cognitive training with the NeuronUP platform. For 24 weeks, 51 people with Parkinson’s and mild cognitive impairment took part in weekly 45-minute sessions. The results were compared with a group that received usual clinical care.
After six months of intervention, both programs improved global cognition and daily functioning compared with the usual-care group
These results indicate that technology can become a key ally for people with Parkinson’s and mild cognitive impairment. Motivating, personalized, real-data-driven programs make it possible to train the brain safely and measure progress accurately.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Hospital Clínico San Carlos, “San Carlos” Health Research Institute (IdISCC)
Randomized comparative feasibility study of neuromodulation and cognitive training for post-COVID fatigue
Silvia Oliver Mas, Jordi A. Matias Guiu, Cristina Delgado Alonso, Lidia Gil
Martínez, Constanza Cuevas, Carmen Polidura, Lucía Fernández Romero, Andreu Matias Guiu
María Diez Cirarda
Fatigue and cognitive impairment are frequent and highly disabling symptoms of post-COVID condition. This study compared two transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) protocols combined with cognitive training to reduce fatigue and improve cognitive function.
The results showed that the M1 + CT protocol offered a slight advantage in reducing fatigue and improving sleep, while both groups experienced significant improvements in cognition, anxiety, depression, pain and sleep quality that were maintained over time. Overall, these data support the combination of tDCS and cognitive training as a safe and effective approach to reduce fatigue and improve cognitive function in patients with post-COVID condition, supporting the need for future controlled trials to confirm these findings.
Institut de Neurociències
Transfer of an executive function intervention in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Montse Blasco , María García Galant, Júlia Ballester Plané, Olga Laporta Hoyos,
Xavier Caldú, David Leiva, Roslyn N Boyd, Els Ortibus
Roser Pueyo
This study analyzed whether a home-based computerized executive function training program could produce improvements in untrained functions —memory and visual perception— as well as in the quality of life and participation of children with cerebral palsy. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to the program or to a waiting list and assessed before, after and nine months after the intervention.
After 12 weeks of training, the intervention group showed better results in immediate verbal memory, verbal learning and visual recognition than the control group. No changes were observed in visual memory, visuospatial perception, quality of life or participation. In addition, the initial improvements were not maintained at nine months. Overall, the training showed immediate transfer effects on memory and visual perception, although without long-term maintenance
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Transcranial alternating current stimulation and cognitive training improved performance and theta activity in adults with cognitive impairment
Susana Cid Fernández, Ana Nieto Vieites, Arturo X Pereiro
Fernando Díaz
Age-related cognitive impairment continues to increase and available drug treatments are of limited effectiveness and costly, driving the search for alternatives such as theta-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (theta-tACS). Although this method has shown potential to improve cognition, its effectiveness in people with cognitive impairment is still little known.
In this study, 27 participants with subjective memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment or dementia completed several sessions combining computerized cognitive training with real or sham theta-tACS. Cognitive tasks were assessed and EEG activity was recorded before and after the intervention.
Improvements were seen only in the group that received real theta-tACS, with better performance on the oddball task and increased EEG activity in the theta band. These findings indicate that theta-tACS could improve cognitive functioning at the behavioral and neurophysiological levels in people with cognitive impairment, supporting its potential as a non-pharmacological intervention.
Hospital del Mar Research Institute
Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
A multimodal lifestyle intervention complemented with epigallocatechin gallate to prevent cognitive decline in APOE-ɛ4 carriers with subjective cognitive decline: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial (PENSA study)
Laura Forcano, Natalia Soldevila Domenech, Anna Boronat, Gonzalo Sánchez
Benavides, Albert Puig-Pijoan, Thais Lorenzo, Ana Aldea Perona, Marc Suárez Calvet, Aida Cuenca Royo, Juan
Domingo Gispert, Maria Gomis Gonzalez, Carolina Minguillón, Patrícia Diaz-Pellicer, Karine Fauria, Iris
Piera, Klaus Langohr, Mara Dierssen, Nieves Pizarro, Esther Mur Gimeno, Oriol Grau Rivera, José Luis
Molinuevo
Rafael de la Torre
The role of certain dietary compounds as enhancers of lifestyle interventions in people at high risk of cognitive decline is still unclear. This study analyzed whether adding a green tea extract enriched with EGCG could increase the benefits of a 12-month multimodal intervention that included dietary guidelines, guided physical activity and cognitive stimulation in older adults with subjective memory complaints who carry APOE-ɛ4.
One hundred twenty-nine participants were assigned to the EGCG intervention, to placebo or to a non-randomized group with lifestyle recommendations. Although after one year no significant differences were found in the main cognitive measure between the MLI+EGCG and MLI+placebo groups, those who received EGCG were more likely to show reliable cognitive improvements. In addition, after the washout period, the EGCG group showed greater cognitive benefits.
Overall, the results suggest that combining lifestyle interventions with EGCG could provide additional benefits, especially in the medium term, and deserves to be investigated in larger studies.
UNED, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and Francisco de Vitoria universities, Spain
UNNE Institute of Neuroestimulation
Randomized, triple-blind, parallel-controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation for cognitive rehabilitation after stroke
Elena M. Marrón, Marcos Ríos Lago, Aida Arroyo Ferrer, Yeray González Zamorano,
Francisco José Sánchez Cuesta, David De Noreña, Juan Pablo Romero
Begoña
González Rodríguez
Right-hemisphere stroke often causes unilateral spatial neglect, a sequela that significantly hinders recovery and is associated with worse cognitive and motor outcomes. This proposal presents a combined protocol that integrates transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a computerized neuropsychological rehabilitation program designed specifically for this deficit.
The neuromodulation approach uses cathodal tDCS over the left posterior parietal cortex to reduce hyperactivation of the healthy hemisphere, following the interhemispheric rivalry model. The intervention takes place over two weeks, with ten consecutive sessions in which high-definition tDCS and cognitive stimulation are applied simultaneously. Neuropsychological and functional assessments were carried out before and after treatment, including a detailed description of a pilot case to assess the feasibility of the protocol.
This parallel, triple-blind experimental design aims to lay the groundwork for studying the effectiveness of integrating tDCS into post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation, with the potential to shorten recovery times and improve patients’ functioning and quality of life.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Centro de Investigación en Red-Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas
Hospital de La Santa Creu I Sant Pau
Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation and music therapy in mild cognitive impairment in Huntington’s disease
Andrea Moreu Valls, Arnau Puig Davi, Saul Martinez Horta, Gabriel Kulisevsky,
Frederic Sampedro, Jesus Perez Perez, Andrea Horta Barba, Gonzalo Olmedo Saura, Javier
Pagonabarraga
Jaime Kulisevsky
The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two cognitive rehabilitation strategies in people with early- and mid-stage Huntington’s disease. Non-pharmacological therapies, such as cognitive training or music therapy, are considered promising alternatives to maintain neural plasticity, improve cognitive performance and promote emotional well-being.
Both computerized cognitive training and music therapy produced significant improvements in global cognition and several clinical measures, outperforming the group with standard treatment and no active intervention. In addition, changes in cognitive performance predicted the rate of atrophy in key structures affected by the disease. Functional connectivity analyses revealed different effects depending on the intervention: cognitive training increased connectivity between executive and sensorimotor networks, while music therapy reduced abnormal patterns between the executive network and the default mode network. Overall, these results indicate that both strategies can improve cognitive function and modulate relevant brain changes in Huntington’s disease, supporting their value as complementary approaches in rehabilitation.
Universidad de Burgos
Effectiveness of the NeuronUP program in improving cognitive performance in older adults.
Silvia Ubillos Landa, Elvira Isabel Mercado Val, Mario Del Líbano Mirallés,
Montserrat Santamaría Vázquez
Olalla Saiz Vazquez
In recent years, digital technologies for cognitive stimulation have gained importance for their ability to optimize resources and improve intervention in institutionalized older adults. This study compared the use of the NeuronUP web platform with the traditional pencil-and-paper format to evaluate their impact on mild cognitive impairment. To this end, 110 participants were randomly assigned to one of the two methods and assessed before and after with the abbreviated Barcelona Test. Statistical analyses showed that those who used NeuronUP achieved significant improvements in orientation, reading and memory, while no changes were observed in language.
These results suggest that professionally guided digital interventions can be an effective alternative to enhance various cognitive functions in institutionalized older adults.
Universities of Almería, Valladolid, Alcalá and Jaén
Resistance exercise to reduce the risk of falls in people with Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized clinical trial
Rubén Cámara Calmaestra, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Agustín Aibar Almazán, Fidel
Hita Contreras, Nerea de Miguel Hernando, José Daniel Jiménez García, Alexander Achalandabaso
Ochoa
Daniel Rodríguez Almagro
This study analyzed the effect of resistance exercise in people with Alzheimer’s disease, evaluating its impact on fall risk, muscle strength, neuropsychiatric symptoms, fear of falling and autonomy in activities of daily living. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to a resistance training program three times a week for 12 weeks, combined with cognitive stimulation, or to a control group that only did cognitive training.
The results showed significant improvements in favor of the intervention group both at the end of the program and three months later, including a reduction in fall risk and fear of falling, greater muscle strength and fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, along with small improvements in activities of daily living.
These findings indicate that resistance exercise is an effective strategy to improve relevant physical and neuropsychological aspects in people with Alzheimer’s, with benefits sustained over time.
Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Combining mindfulness and cognitive training in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial (NeuroMind study)
Tania Badia Aguarón, Estíbaliz Royuela Colomer, Vanessa Pera Guardiola, Pere
Vergés Balasch, Ausiàs Cebolla, Juan V. Luciano, Joaquim Soler, Albert Feliu Soler
Anna Huguet Miguel
ADHD affects approximately 5% of children, and although cognitive training and mindfulness-based interventions have shown promising results, they are not yet part of usual treatment. The NeuroMind study will evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the Mindfulness for Health program, cognitive training with NeuronUP and their combination (MCT) as an add-on to standard treatment in children with ADHD.
A total of 120 children aged 7 to 12 will take part, randomly assigned to four experimental conditions. Assessments will be carried out before the intervention, at two months and at five months, analyzing ADHD symptoms, executive functions, comorbidity and overall functioning using mixed statistical models and mediation analysis.
If the combined approach shows positive results, it could serve as a basis for larger studies and for its future incorporation into clinical practice.
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Rehabilitation program focused on quality of life and cognition using NeuronUP in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized clinical trial.
Cristina García Bravo, Sara García Bravo, Isabel Quirosa Galán, Mª Pilar
Rodríguez Pérez, Jorge Pérez Corrales, Gemma Fernández Gómez, Madeleine Donovan, Elisabet Huertas
Hoyas
Anthia Cristina Fabara-Rodríguez
This study evaluated whether integrating the NeuronUP platform into occupational therapy could improve cognitive status, perceptual skills and quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In a single-blind randomized clinical trial, participants were assigned to a control group that received only conventional occupational therapy or to an experimental group that combined this therapy with NeuronUP sessions for 18 weeks.
Twenty people took part, and the analyses showed significant improvements in most of the variables assessed, especially quality of life and cognitive performance, in the group that used the platform. These results suggest that NeuronUP can be a useful tool to complement occupational therapy intervention in Alzheimer’s, although studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.
University of Tolima
Effects of computerized cognitive training versus pencil-and-paper training on the cognitive development of typically developing children: protocol of a randomized controlled clinical trial
Gimena Rocío Ramírez Suarez, Luz Helena Rodríguez Rodríguez
Carolina Robledo Castro
This study will evaluate the efficacy of a computerized cognitive training program to improve executive functions and attention in primary school children, compared with a traditional pencil-and-paper intervention. It is a randomized clinical trial with pre- and post-intervention assessment, involving typically developing third-grade students aged 7 to 9.
Participants will be randomly assigned to an experimental group, which will carry out activities on the NeuronUP platform for 8 weeks, or to an active control group with equivalent pencil-and-paper tasks. Sessions will take place twice a week in the computer room, and both assessors and students will be blinded to the assigned condition.
The analysis will include repeated-measures ANOVA and logistic regressions to explore the role of socioeconomic variables. The results are expected to provide evidence on the benefits of digital cognitive training for the cognitive development of typically developing children.
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, University of Granada and Universidad Loyola Andalucía
Neuropsychological stimulation program for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial
Pablo Rodríguez Prieto, Ian Craig Simpson, Diego Gomez Baya, Claudia García de
la Cadena, Desirée Ruiz Aranda
Joaquín A
Ibáñez-Alfonso
Guatemala faces deep social inequalities and high levels of violence, factors that, together with the educational impact of the pandemic, increase the risk of emotional and cognitive difficulties in childhood. This paper presents a protocol to implement a cognitive and emotional stimulation program aimed at improving the academic performance and quality of life of children in this context.
The study proposes a 24-session randomized clinical trial using the NeuronUP digital platform to work on attention, language, executive functions and social cognition. The 480 participants will be assigned to an experimental or control group, with assessments before and after the intervention, plus a follow-up the following year, in which both groups will switch roles to compare short- and long-term academic and cognitive results.
Although the effects have yet to be confirmed, this intervention is expected to support cognitive and emotional development, improve school performance and contribute to overall well-being. The final goal is to create a validated program that can be applied in other contexts of socioeconomic vulnerability.
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Validation of cognitive rehabilitation as a balance rehabilitation strategy in patients with Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial
Aída Arroyo Ferrer, Marcos Moreno Verdú, Francisco José Sánchez Cuesta, Yeray
González Zamorano, Arturo Ugalde Canitrot
Juan Pablo
Romero
Parkinson’s disease involves not only motor symptoms but also early cognitive alterations that can affect attention and processing speed. These deficits are related to poorer balance and a higher risk of falls, which affect a large proportion of patients even in early stages. Cognitive rehabilitation aimed at improving these processes could therefore contribute to greater postural stability.
This work presents a randomized, parallel clinical trial that will evaluate the effect of a cognitive rehabilitation program focused on sustained attention, delivered through the NeuronUP platform for four weeks in patients with Parkinson’s. The experimental group will receive three sessions per week, while the control group will receive no intervention.
If the intervention is shown to improve balance, it could open a new way to prevent falls, reduce morbidity and optimize healthcare resources in this population.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Transcranial direct current stimulation as an adjunct to cognitive training in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Pablo Cruz González, Ted Brown
Kenneth N K Fong
Cognitive training alone may not be enough to boost cognitive performance in people with mild cognitive impairment, and combining it with transcranial direct current stimulation could generate synergistic effects by strengthening the synaptic circuits activated during training. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated whether the combination of tDCS and cognitive training offered greater benefits in older adults with MCI.
Sixty-seven participants were assigned to three conditions: tDCS + cognitive training, sham tDCS + cognitive training or cognitive training alone. All completed nine sessions over three weeks, with cognitive assessments at baseline, after the intervention and at six weeks. All three groups improved global cognition and everyday memory, with larger effect sizes in the tDCS + training group, although without significant differences between groups. In the training-specific tasks, the tDCS + training group showed greater improvements in processing speed and in performing attention and working memory activities.
These results suggest that combining tDCS and cognitive training does not consistently outperform the other conditions in general cognitive outcomes, but it does seem to optimize performance on specific tasks and processing speed.
Other publications
Centro Integral de Promoción de la Autonomía Personal y la Salud
Perceived impact of NeuronUP on the cognitive rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injury and Huntington’s disease
Sandra Calvo Ortega & Carmen Varela Vázquez
María Fernández-Hawrylak
Acquired brain injury and Huntington’s disease can affect functions such as memory, attention, language and planning, progressively compromising autonomy and performance in daily life. Cognitive rehabilitation seeks to recover the affected abilities when possible and, in neurodegenerative diseases, to help maintain them for longer.
This study analyzed the use of NeuronUP in 12 people aged 41 to 75, six with acquired brain injury and six with Huntington’s disease. Participants completed one individual session per week of about 50 minutes, supervised by an occupational therapist. The activities were adapted to their needs and worked on attention, memory, language, calculation and executive functions. The intervention was in person for the acquired brain injury group and online for the Huntington’s disease group.
After the intervention, the acquired brain injury group showed a significant improvement in the global cognitive score of the MEC-35, which increased from 27.33 to 31 points. No statistically significant changes were observed in the Huntington’s disease group, although scores remained stable. In addition, participants perceived benefits in memory, attention, concentration, autonomy and daily functioning, and all expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation.
The results show the potential of NeuronUP as support for offering personalized cognitive interventions adapted to different neurological profiles. However, they should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of participants, the absence of a control group, the lack of a uniform duration and participation in other therapeutic activities.
U
Universidad Loyola Andalucía
Combined tDCS and neuropsychological treatment in adult ADHD: a single-case study on its feasibility and cognitive and emotional effects
Pablo Rodríguez Prieto, Julia Soler Vázquez
Joaquín A. Ibáñez Alfonso
The cognitive and emotional symptoms of ADHD in adults, especially in executive functions and mood, still require more integrated interventions. This study explored the feasibility and initial effects of a combined protocol in a young woman with inattentive ADHD.
The participant was assessed before and after a five-week intervention that included transcranial direct current stimulation, digital cognitive rehabilitation exercises with NeuronUP and psychotherapy. After treatment, improvements were observed in overall cognitive performance, especially in flexibility, visuospatial working memory and planning, along with a reduction in depressive symptoms and an improvement in quality of life.
These results suggest that a multimodal intervention can be a feasible and promising option to improve cognitive functioning and emotional well-being in adults with ADHD.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
The effect of neurorehabilitation on the cognitive symptoms of long COVID assessed with the Neuropsi Attention and Memory-III and BANFE-III
Samuel Reyes Long, Leilani Najera García, Sandra Hernández Corral, Elena
Arechaga Ocampo, Karina Avendaño Ortiz, David Trejo Martínez, Humberto Rosell Becerril, Jose Luis Cortes
Altamirano, Alfonso Alfaro Rodríguez
Ana Lilia Dotor
Llerena
The cognitive sequelae of long COVID, especially in attention, memory and executive functions, remain under-addressed and lack systematic neurorehabilitation proposals. This study evaluated the impact of a six-month neuropsychological intervention in Mexican patients with these persistent symptoms.
Participants, recruited at the National Institute of Rehabilitation, were assessed before and after treatment with standardized tests such as the Neuropsi, the BANFE-III and the CCQ. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the memory component of the Neuropsi and in two BANFE-III indicators, along with fewer subjective complaints.
These results indicate that a structured neurorehabilitation intervention can reduce both objectively measured cognitive symptoms and perceived difficulties in patients with long COVID.
University of Porto and Catholic University of Porto
Remote neurocognitive rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a first look at patients’ perspectives on the process and an online platform
Artemisa R. Dores, Irene P. Carvalho, Sandra Guerreiro, Alexandre Castro Caldas,
Fernando Barbosa
Andreia Geraldo
The COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to implement remote programs to ensure therapeutic continuity, but little is known about how people with acquired neurological damage perceive these services.
In this study, 16 patients who took part in a Portuguese online neurocognitive rehabilitation program completed a questionnaire during lockdown. Their answers pointed to both advantages and limitations of the remote format, as well as proposals to improve the rehabilitation processes and the platform used.
The results highlight the potential of remote neurocognitive interventions and underline the importance of adapting digital services to patients’ needs and expectations.
University of the Basque Country and Pompeu Fabra University
Generative deep learning models for cognitive performance trajectories in real-world settings
Denis Expósito, Elina Maltseva, Carolina Sastre Barrios, Íñigo Fernández de
Piérola
Jesús Cortés
The rise in cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease poses major clinical and social challenges, making it essential to be able to predict how cognitive performance will evolve. Real-world data provide valuable information, but their complexity requires advanced models to generate reliable predictions. This study compared three deep learning approaches —multilayer networks (MLP), convolutional networks (CNN) and long short-term memory models— applied to cognitive performance trajectories.
All three models showed good predictive capacity in different sets of patients, although CNNs stood out for their recognition of local patterns and greater resistance to overfitting. These tools can serve as complementary support for professionals to adjust neuropsychological interventions and anticipate possible cognitive decline.
Even so, further studies are needed to determine whether prediction-based interventions improve therapeutic effectiveness compared with traditional approaches.
Basque Foundation for Science
Universities of Granada and the Basque Country
One-year prediction of cognitive decline after cognitive stimulation from real-world data
Borja Camino Pontes, Francisco González López, Gonzalo Santamaría Gómez, Antonio
Javier Sutil Jiménez, Carolina Sastre Barrios, Iñigo Fernández de Piérola
Jesús M Cortes
The expansion of real-world clinical data has produced increasingly large and heterogeneous samples, requiring analytical methods capable of handling this complexity. This study used data from users of cognitive stimulation programs to examine whether performance on different neuropsychological training materials could predict cognitive decline one year later.
A total of 124,610 records from 7,902 participants who completed 215 tests grouped into 29 cognitive domains were analyzed. Using longitudinal models and machine learning techniques with cross-validation, several cognitive domains were found to predict future decline with high accuracy, while others showed more limited performance. In addition, certain domains offered better predictions in populations with a specific diagnosis, such as Parkinson’s disease or Down syndrome, and lower accuracy in Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis.
These results indicate that predictive capacity is distributed across multiple cognitive domains and highlight the value of combining RWD and advanced modeling techniques to anticipate cognitive decline and improve clinical interpretation in future research.
Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute
Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center
CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición
Intensive assessment of executive functions derived from performance in cognitive training games
Natalia Soldevila Domenech, Ilario De Toma, Laura Forcano, Patrícia Diaz
Pellicer, Aida Cuenca Royo, Beatriz Fagundo, Thais Lorenzo, María Gomis González, Gonzalo Sánchez
Benavides, Karine Fauria, Carolina Sastre, Íñigo Fernández De Piérola, José Luis Molinuevo, Antonio
Verdejo García
Rafael de la Torre
Traditional neuropsychological tests describe the current cognitive state well, but they do not accurately capture the changes that occur over short periods. This study presents an innovative method for monthly monitoring of executive functions using performance indicators obtained from self-administered cognitive training games (NUP-EXE).
The metric properties of NUP-EXE were evaluated in 56 people aged 60 to 80, APOE-ϵ4 carriers with subjective cognitive complaints, who took part in a 12-month multimodal intervention to prevent cognitive decline. NUP-EXE showed good psychometric properties and greater sensitivity to change than traditional tests. In addition, improvements on the tool were associated with better daily functioning and were modulated by age and gender.
This remote data collection approach could allow a more precise characterization of the individual response to preventive interventions and contribute to the development of new outcome measures in future clinical trials.
Luis Amigó Catholic University, Medellín, Colombia
Effect of a neuropsychological intervention program on the development of academic skills in the early school years
Astrid Yamile Ayala Arango
A quasi-experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a neuropsychological intervention program on reading, writing and math skills in first-grade children from a school in Apartadó (Colombia), from a low socioeconomic background. Two groups of 19 students each —experimental and control— were initially assessed and, subsequently, the experimental group took part for seven months in a group cognitive stimulation program using NeuronUP Kids.
In the pretest measurements, both groups showed similar performance except in writing words and pseudowords, where the experimental group scored higher. After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in the experimental group on several reading tasks (syllables, words, non-words, sentences, reading aloud and reading speed) and in writing syllables, while no differences were found in arithmetic.
These results indicate that neuropsychological stimulation contributes positively to the development of early academic skills, especially reading and writing, and represents an opportunity to implement neuropsychology-based preventive programs in the school setting.
Department of Legal Medicine, Medical Ethics, Social and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo
Outpatient rehabilitation for long COVID: a call to action
Marta Imamura, Gilson Tanaka Shinzato, Sabrina Saemy Tome Uchiyama, Lucas Ramos
De Pretto, Denise Vianna Machado Ayres, Simone Hitomi Oshiro, Valéria Dini Leite, Daniela Aguilera Moura
Antonio Rossi,Harumi Nemoto Kaihami, Rosana Aparecida de Freitas Lopes, Denise Rodrigues Tsukimoto,
Gabriella Souza Naves, Denise Matheus, Artur César Aquino dos Santos, Margarida Harumi Miyazaki
Linamara Rizzo Battistella
COVID-19 can cause motor, cognitive, psychological and nutritional sequelae that require specialized rehabilitation. This paper describes the outpatient program implemented at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo to care for patients with severe or critical COVID-19 after hospitalization.
Twelve adults underwent a comprehensive assessment that included functional, cognitive, emotional, nutritional and muscle strength measures. The rehabilitation program combined electrical and magnetic stimulation, isokinetic exercises, pain treatment, cognitive stimulation, emotional support, occupational training and health education through a mobile app. Sessions were held twice a week until discharge criteria were met.
The results showed significant improvements in pain and mobility (VAS and TUG), along with favorable trends in functional independence, grip strength, walking capacity, anxiety and post-COVID functional status. These findings indicate that a short, intensive, interdisciplinary program can improve key symptoms in people with long COVID.
Universidad de Burgos
Cognitive rehabilitation in older adults with NeuronUP (CROAN)
Olalla Saiz Vázquez
The use of digital technologies in cognitive rehabilitation has increased in recent years, allowing professionals to optimize time and resources in the design and application of activities. This study evaluated the effect of a cognitive intervention delivered through the NeuronUP web platform in older adults, analyzing memory, attention and language.
A quasi-experimental design was used with two groups of 20 participants each (experimental and control), assessed before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses (ANOVA, ANCOVA and MANOVA) showed significant improvements in memory, orientation and reading in the group that used NeuronUP.
Overall, the results indicate that NeuronUP is an effective tool to improve cognitive processes in older adults and that its implementation guided by specialized professionals can be especially useful in the clinical setting.
Universities of Castilla-La Mancha and Valladolid
Potential benefits of a cognitive training program in mild cognitive impairment
Nuria Mendoza Laiz, Natalia Rioja Collado, Javier Gómez Pilar, Roberto
Hornero
Sagrario Del Valle Díaz
Dementia is a progressive condition that affects the daily lives of older adults unevenly, and the speed of its progression may depend on the interventions used. This study evaluated the efficacy of a cognitive training program combined with a brain-computer interface (BCI) and the NeuronUP platform in people with mild dementia.
Thirty-two participants with MMSE scores between 18 and 23 were divided into two age groups: 61–69 years and 70–81 years. Neuropsychological performance was assessed before and after training with the Luria-DNA battery, which measures areas such as memory, attention, language, intellectual functions and visuospatial skills. After the intervention, the younger group showed significant improvements in most of the areas assessed, clearly outperforming the older group, suggesting that the response to training partly depends on age.
Overall, these results indicate that people with mild dementia can slow cognitive decline through appropriate cognitive stimulation programs.
Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario de Canarias
Neuropsychological and brain gray matter volume changes after computer-assisted cognitive treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis
Julio Plata-Bello, María Yaiza Pérez-Martín, Montserrat
González-Platas, Víctor Fajardo-Santana
Kritsia
Sinay Fumero-Revetti
Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis and affects more than 65% of people from early stages, impacting their daily life, autonomy and work functioning. Although the results of cognitive interventions are heterogeneous, there is evidence that computer-assisted neuropsychological rehabilitation can improve cognitive performance. This study evaluated the efficacy of a digital cognitive rehabilitation program in patients with relapsing-remitting MS and mild or moderate cognitive impairment.
Twelve patients were assessed at three time points (baseline, week 8 and week 16) and randomly assigned to receive treatment after the first or second assessment. The intervention consisted of 24 home-based 45-minute sessions, three times a week, for eight weeks, using the NeuronUP platform. In addition to neuropsychological tests, functional and structural MRI scans and analyses of biomarkers linked to neuronal plasticity were carried out.
Preliminary results showed improvements in verbal memory, delayed visual memory, working memory and semantic fluency. At the neurobiological level, increases in gray matter volume and functional changes were observed in regions associated with learning and memory. These findings suggest that cognitive training can induce neuroplasticity mechanisms and promote cortical reorganization in multiple sclerosis.
Doctoral theses
Universidad Loyola Andalucía
Comprehensive neuropsychological stimulation program for minors at risk of social exclusion
Supervisors: Joaquín Ibáñez Alfonso, Ian Craig Simpson
Pablo Rodríguez Prieto
Guatemala has high levels of social inequality and violence, factors that pose a significant risk to children’s cognitive and emotional development. This situation was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused prolonged school closures and widened the educational gap. This doctoral thesis presents the results of the design and implementation of a cognitive and emotional stimulation program aimed at improving the academic performance and quality of life of children in highly vulnerable contexts in Guatemala City.
The program was developed by Universidad Loyola Andalucía in collaboration with the Development Institute of the ETEA Foundation, within an international cooperation project funded by AACID. It was implemented for 18 months in five schools of the Fe y Alegría Guatemala network, starting one year after lockdown, in an early phase of school reopening.
This work highlights the potential of sustained psychoeducational interventions to mitigate the impact of adverse socioeconomic contexts and promote cognitive and emotional development in childhood.
University of Barcelona
Towards optimizing interventions to improve cognitive functions and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy
Supervisor: Roser Pueyo Benito
Montse Blanco Sierra
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in childhood and, in addition to motor problems, many people have cognitive difficulties that affect their daily life and quality of life. This thesis aimed to optimize the effects of cognitive interventions in children with cerebral palsy through three complementary studies: a systematic review, a cross-sectional study and a randomized clinical trial.
The review showed that most of the interventions studied are physical, although some improve cognitive functions such as visual perception and inhibitory control. The cross-sectional study showed that executive functions, together with motor functioning, visual perception, autism spectrum traits and parental stress, have an important influence on quality of life. Finally, the clinical trial found that a home-based executive function training program (30 hours over 3 months) produced far transfer effects on visual perception and memory, but did not improve quality of life or participation, and these cognitive benefits were not maintained in the long term.
The results highlight the relevance of executive functions in cerebral palsy and the need to improve interventions aimed at enhancing their functional impact and long-term maintenance.
University Pompeu Fabra
Lifestyle interventions and cognitive change: determinants and underlying mechanisms
Supervisor: Rafael de la Torre Fornell
Natalia Soldevila Domènech
Interventions aimed at improving lifestyle, such as diet, physical exercise and cognitive training, can slow cognitive decline in people at risk of dementia. This thesis focuses on identifying the determinants and mechanisms of the cognitive changes associated with this type of intervention, as well as exploring the use of new technologies to assess adherence and cognitive response.
The results show that lifestyle interventions improve cognitive performance and quality of life and reduce cardiovascular risk, although with notable inter-individual variability. Factors such as sex, age, educational level, type 2 diabetes, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, metformin use and level of functioning have a significant influence on the cognitive response. In addition, modulation of the endocannabinoid system by the Mediterranean diet is identified as a possible mechanism involved.
Finally, the thesis validates the use of cognitive training games as sensitive tools for the intensive assessment of cognitive performance, providing relevant evidence for the design of future dementia prevention strategies.
Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Digital devices as a therapeutic tool in children and adolescents with intellectual disability
Supervisors: M. Teresa Colomina Fosch, Josefa Canals Sans
Marta Torra Moreno
The literature indicates that children and adolescents with intellectual disability have cognitive and behavioral difficulties, especially in executive functions. This work first reviewed the existing evidence on the use of new technologies in this population and then evaluated the impact of a digital cognitive training program applied in Special Education Centers.
Children and young people aged 6 to 17 took part; sociodemographic, clinical, digital habits and quality of life data were collected, together with behavioral and neuropsychological assessments using standardized tests. The intervention program was carried out with the NeuronUP platform and consisted of 24 sessions of 20 minutes, delivered at the schools themselves.
The results showed that the most affected executive functions were inhibition, cognitive flexibility, emotional control and behavioral self-regulation. After the intervention with NeuronUP, all participants showed improvements, especially in attention, processing speed and working memory. Overall, the findings support the use of digital tools such as NeuronUP to enhance cognitive functioning in children and young people with intellectual disability.
Universidad del Norte
Effect of two neuropsychological intervention programs on academic goals and cognitive functioning in people with learning disorders
Supervisor: Carlos José De los Reyes, Co-supervisor: Helene Polatajko
Carolina Beltrán Dulcey
Specific learning disorders are neurobiologically based alterations that affect academic skills such as reading, writing and math. This study, conducted through tele-neuropsychology in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, evaluated the effect of two intervention programs in 21 children diagnosed with learning disorders: the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach and the NeuronUP platform.
Both programs produced moderate improvements in perceived performance and satisfaction with the academic goals assessed with the COPM. Increases in neuropsychological percentiles and significant clinical improvements in several cognitive domains were also observed in both groups.
Overall, the findings indicate that both CO-OP and NeuronUP promote cognitive and academic improvements.
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Cognitive function in adults with chronic acquired brain injury: relationship with physical activity and sedentary behavior
Supervisors: Margalida Coll, Timothy Peter Morris
Lidia Pérez López
Acquired brain injury is the leading cause of disability in adults, and its sequelae (cognitive, motor, sensory and communicative) can persist for years, seriously affecting daily life and social participation. This work explored the role of physical exercise and physical activity in cognitive rehabilitation in chronic ABI, as well as the usefulness of telerehabilitation through the NeuronUP platform.
The first study followed for one year adults with chronic severe traumatic brain injury who took part in a supervised aerobic exercise program. The intervention was associated with an increase in daily physical activity. The second study analyzed patients with chronic stroke during the pandemic, combining accelerometry measurements of physical activity with 24 weeks of cognitive telerehabilitation with NeuronUP. Positive associations were observed between physical activity and cognitive performance, especially in people under 60, with different patterns in men and women. Adherence to telerehabilitation was high.
Both studies suggest that promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior could enhance the effects of cognitive rehabilitation in people with chronic ABI, and that telerehabilitation, including that delivered with NeuronUP, is a promising route. However, further research considering age and sex differences is needed to optimize the personalization of these interventions.
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