L'informatisation : une nouvelle perspective de développement pour la stimulation cognitive ou l'entraînement cognitif Computerisation: A new perspective for the development of cognitive stimulation or cognitive training

Summary Cognitive stimulation is a therapeutic non-pharmacological intervention, whichmay be provided to both healthy and cognitively impaired people. It encompasses a set ofpsychoeducational methods including practical applications, gathered in sessions and cor-responding to ecological situations in daily life. Cognitive stimulation represents training incognitive, psychological and social functions. The recent progress in assistant technology haslead to the development of computerized cognitive stimulation programmes that represent apromising means for delivery and dissemination of this non-pharmacological intervention. Inthe present paper, we describe the principles of cognitive stimulation, the methods of deliveryand the advantages of computerized cognitive stimulation, and the necessary conditions for itsimplementation. We insist on the need to tailor human—machine interfaces to the needs anddisabilities of elderly people, in particular those who suffer from cognitive disorders.© 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.