Doctoral Student Profile

Margaret Dudley

Supervisors: Nicola Starkey, S. Barker-Collo

Impact of attention process training on attention in early recovery from stroke
Neuropsychological sequelae is estimated to occur in nearly half of all stroke survivors, yet post-stroke rehabilitation has traditionally focused on physical and functional therapy and speech/language rehabilitation, with relatively little focus on cognitive rehabilitation. It is estimated that approximately 33% of stroke survivors experience an attention deficit as a sequelae of the stroke. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that attention deficits contribute to poor post stroke outcomes, including functional recovery. The current study will evaluate a cognitive rehabilitation intervention (Attention Process Training), and its impact on reducing the attention deficit. If attention process training is found to be an effective means of improving attention, this study will provide evidence for greater emphasis for cognitive rehabilitation as part of standard rehabilitation for stroke survivors.