The Neurologic Communication Disorders and Cognitive Wellness Lab’s mission is to study and provide clinical services for the prevention and treatment of cognitive and language decline with normal cognitive aging and neurologic communication disorders, such as persons with aphasia, traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia.
Clinical researchers work with active seniors who are interested in participating in mental fitness programs designed to maintain and improve brain health and agility. The ongoing mission is to educate and increase community awareness about cognitive stimulation and its impact on brain aging. Currently, the lab has three active research protocols: Communication Designs, Golden Tweets, and CSD and Virtual Reality.
Communication Designs is a multicomponent cognitive stimulation program aimed at investigating communication and cognitive functions. This is done through individualized training focused on the individual’s area of challenge, weekly group sessions designed to stimulate brain areas that commonly change with aging, and education on brain health and wellness.
Golden Tweets examines how social media impacts social interaction, self-perception, and cognitive function through participants’ use of Twitter. The lab team guides participants through a progression of hands-on training and instruction to independent use of the platform.
CSD and Virtual Reality examines how virtual reality intervention impacts communication function. A brief version of this protocol is currently being run, which consists of two phases. The first phase involves completing baseline measures of cognitive and language functions, participation in “traditional” cognitive and language training activities, and an introduction to how to use a virtual reality headset. Then, the second phase consists of cognitive and language training activities done within a virtual reality environment. Participants are provided with individualized recommendations for improving and maintaining their cognition at home, as well as introductory education about virtual reality.
If you would like to participate in the lab’s research or receive more information regarding these protocols, contact ncdwlab@IllinoisState.edu.
