Utilization of a Cogmed working memory training program in patients with neurocognitive impairment following the resection of intracranial meningioma: Case series and review of the literature

Abstract

Meningioma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Patients may become symptomatic due to the resultant mass effect and the peritumoral vasogenic edema. The majority of existing research on neurocognitive impairment in patients with brain tumors has focused on gliomas while less research has been conducted on the effects of tumor and/or surgical intervention on neurocognitive function in patients with meningioma. We conducted a prospective study on the utilization of the Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) program in patients who underwent surgical resection of WHO grade I intracranial meningioma and experienced neurocognitive impairment after surgery. All patients had a significant improvement in their post-CWMT neurocognitive function evaluation compared to their baseline post-surgical neurocognitive evaluation, and the improvement was maintained at a three-month follow-up. This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of a neurocognitive rehabilitation program in augmenting the neurocognitive functioning of patients with Intracranial WHO Grade I Meningioma. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of the CWMT program in improving postoperative impaired neurocognitive function and potentially improving the quality of life of our patients.

Keywords

• Intracranial
• Meningioma
• Neurocognitive rehabilitation
• Working memory
• CWMT