New and updated for 2024: apps to boost brain injury rehabilitation
Twenty apps to support those living with brain injury, neurological and neurodiverse conditions.
Smartphones. Love them or hate them, it seems in the world today you cannot live without them. No matter what you are up to, you can bet there’s an app for that!
And while technology is advancing, new opportunities are becoming apparent for people of all ages and abilities. Apps aren’t just for kids nowadays – there’s a plethora of targeted apps for aiding near enough everything.
This is a huge advantage for those who are recovering from a brain injury, or for those who have neurological and neurodiverse conditions. Smart technology can support individuals with additional needs to live more independently. With smart technology, you can use apps to adjust your home’s lighting, or you can use apps to improve your mindfulness or executive function. There are even apps that link blind or visually impaired users with sighted volunteers through live video.
In 2020, Krysalis published the guide ‘Twenty apps to boost brain injury rehabilitation’. Now we are happy to share an updated version, a list of apps that not only enhance brain injury rehabilitation, but also apps that make daily activities easier and more manageable for those who have neurological and neurodiverse conditions.
Cognitive rehabilitation is vital in facilitating patients' faster return to daily routines and enhancing their quality-of-life following brain injury. 
BMS Psychiatry (1)
The possibilities are endless, and these listed apps can be used across a range of smartphones, tablets, and computers, but ask your neurological occupational therapist for support in accessing and using them if necessary.
Brain training
Elevate – Elevate is an award-winning brain trainer that uses fun games and brain teasers. It supports cognitive function by working to improve speech, memory skills, mental math and more, for both adults and children.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
2048 – There are multiples of this number puzzle app online. It is designed to test an individual’s addition skills and help train the brain to recognize patterns.
In-app purchases may apply depending on the preferred app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
BrainHQ – This app promotes better brain health. Created by leading neuroscientists from around the world, and recommended by many health professionals, this brain training app comprehensively improves brain function.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple, Android, and desktop
Solitaire – There are a multitude of solitaire apps out there, from the classic version of the game to Solitaire Dragons. Take your pick and start practicing your cognitive flexibility, concentration, and memory skills.
In-app purchases may apply depending on the preferred app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
NYT Games: Word Games & Sudoku – This app provides daily word and logic puzzles for every skill level. Games include Wordle, Spelling Bee, Sudoku, Connections and much more. You can compete with friends and access 10,000 archived puzzles to keep your brain engaged and entertained.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Self-care
Finch – Finch is an interactive self-care pet app that helps promote personal care, where the pet grows the more you practice your self-care. It aids those struggling with mental resilience and lends a hand when it comes to forming daily habits.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Headspace – Headspace helps you to learn how to manage anxiety, mental health, and wellness. This app offers daily meditation, breathing exercises, and guided yoga. Many of its features align with the therapeutic goals of brain injury rehabilitation.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Couch to 5K – Designed by BBC Get Inspired, the Couch to 5K app is a great resource for people who are healing from a brain injury, as it provides a steady and progressive running program that can be customized to their recovery speed. The app’s method of increasing running endurance gradually helps avoid exhaustion and injury, while the exercise itself promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s capacity to rewire itself by creating new neural connections.
As this app encourages physical movement, please consult with healthcare professionals before starting any new exercise regimen.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
MindMate (Alzheimer’s app) – MindMate is an all-in-one app designed to support brain health and overall wellbeing, particularly in seniors and those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The app provides cognitive exercises, daily workout routines, recipes and – when using Apple products – can link to Apple’s HealthKit to record activities such as daily steps.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and desktop
REPS Recovery Exercises – This app consists of two post-stroke programmes: TASK and PUSH. Both programmes utilize a strategy that can assist recovery after a stroke – repetitive practice. TASK involves the repetitive practice of four everyday tasks whereas PUSH involves the repetitive practice of arm movements. The app provides video demonstrations that are easy for individuals to follow.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Support
Be My Eyes - This app gives people who are blind or visually impaired a powerful tool to access vision. They can access a visual description by linking to one of the app's seven million volunteers or by using their new AI image describer.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Virtual Hope Box – The VHB app offers easy tools for people in recovery who need help with managing stress, calming down, and thinking positively. Both individuals and their Occupational Therapist can personalize the content in accordance with the individual’s specific needs. The VHB also stores multimedia that can visually support an individual in times of need.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Twinkl Symbols – This AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app helps those who struggle with speech issues to communicate. It can be most useful for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
AccessNow – To get information of whether a place is accessible to suit your requirements, AccessNow is the app to have. It is crowdsourced, and therefore reliant on its user’s rating locations, and allows you to discover the accessibility and inclusivity of places all around the world.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Neuroschemas – This app aims to empower neurodiverse individuals by providing them with the tools and knowledge to better understand and navigate social interactions, which can be particularly beneficial for those with ASD or social anxiety due to a brain injury.
There is a free and subscription-based option for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Visual Attention Therapy – Created by TactusTherapy, this app retrains the brain with interactive cancellation exercises that can help Occupational Therapists to assess and treat left neglect.
This app is a one-time purchase for £9.99.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Rogervoice – This app provides a live captioning service for your phone when you make a phone call, which can help those who are hard of hearing. It uses automatic speech recognition to turn audio into text in real time.
The first hour of the service is free, then there are subscription-based options for this app.
Platforms: Apple and Android
TalkingAlarm – This app connects to your calendar and speaks the time. It also informs you about your upcoming meetings, shows the weather forecast, and plays your songs. The various functions enable those with extra needs, or those with neurodiversity, to conveniently organize their time and stay responsible.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple
Entertainment
Audible – Audible allows you to stream audiobooks and podcasts of all genres. This app is useful for those with physical and/or visual impairments. It promotes enhanced cognitive engagement and improved language skills.
This app requires in-app purchases.
Platforms: Apple and Android
Figment – Created by Lumosity, this app allows you to unleash your imagination and build creative confidence. It has ever-changing prompts and activities to help motivate and inspire your creativity.
This app is free.
Platforms: Apple
In the impressive array of technological wonders, apps designed for brain injury rehabilitation and supporting those with neurodiverse and neurological conditions are not just tools, but companions on the journey to independence. Their role creates a more inclusive and supportive society, and each of them can bring joy, and work towards fun and learning-based progress.
Share your thoughts on these apps with us @KrysalisNeuroOT on X (formally Twitter) and Instagram!
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