Rehabilitation of executive functioning in a case of Traumatic Brain Injury -TBI- severe

Introduction: despite the high incidence of executive symptoms after suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), few studies assess the effectiveness of programs to the rehabilitation of executive functions (EF). Objective: to assess the effect of a rehabilitation program on inhibition and working memory, in a patient with severe TBI. Methods: an AB design with follow-up was used with a computerized program of 15 sessions, offered three times a week. The program efficacy was evaluated by sampling two target behaviors during different phases (baseline, during, post-intervention and long-term) and with standardized tests of inhibition and working memory (pre and post-intervention). Results: visual analysis revealed an upward trajectory in inhibition and working memory, with greater stability in the immediate and long-term evaluations. However, these changes cannot be fully attributed to the program. Conclusions: the rehabilitation program improved the process of inhibition with minimal effects on working memory. The former suggests that the intervention looks promising as a specific cognitive intervention but not a global stimulation resource for executive functions. In this respect, single-case designs are a valuable resource to ensure rigorous monitoring of the application and evaluation of interventions and analyze their effectiveness.