Acquired brain injury rehabilitation involves a variety of activities designed to improve function. These activities include therapeutic exercises and activities that activate the brain’s neuroplasticity. The goal of acquired brain injury rehabilitation is to improve a person’s quality of life and recovery. Therapy sessions may be either outpatient or inpatient.
Outpatient therapy
Outpatient therapy for acquired brain injury rehabilitation is designed to help patients regain their physical function and quality of life after an injury. This type of therapy helps patients to rebuild their strength, endurance, coordination, balance, and flexibility after a brain injury. It also promotes neuroplasticity, a process in which the brain develops new connections and improves function. In addition, physical therapy can improve cerebral blood flow, which brings oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
Occupational therapy focuses on the physical effects of a brain injury and can help patients learn to re-examine their daily activities. Occupational therapy involves compensatory and therapeutic techniques to improve physical function.
In addition to the physical aspects of rehabilitation, the challenge program focuses on the emotional and behavioral challenges that often accompany a brain injury. It helps patients express their needs and achieve recovery goals. The challenges patients may face while recovering from a traumatic brain injury vary greatly. Some patients may be unconscious or have limited awareness, and some may be unable to perform daily activities. While in this stage of recovery, medical care is necessary to assist patients with basic functions, while appropriate levels of stimulation can help the patient regain consciousness.
Inpatient rehabilitation
After an injury, patients may require varying levels of care to recover. The duration of this care is determined by the type and severity of the brain injury. Inpatient rehabilitation is usually started once the patient is medically stable. The goal of rehabilitation is to help the patient regain daily living skills and achieve maximum independence. This may include teaching the patient compensatory skills.
Inpatient rehabilitation for acquired brain injury involves several types of therapies. These therapies vary according to the type of injury, but the typical patient receives about three hours of therapy per day, three to four times a week. The patient will work with a rehabilitation team, which may include a social worker, occupational therapist, and speech-language pathologist. A member of the patient’s family will also be involved in the rehabilitation process and participate in therapy sessions.
Home therapy
At-home therapy for acquired brain injury rehabilitation can be a useful adjunct to in-center rehabilitation. It can encourage high repetition of therapeutic exercises, which can enhance recovery. For example, therapists can give sheets of exercises to patients to practice at home or recommend neuro rehab devices like FitMi, which provide an interactive way to keep the patient interested and motivated.
A home-based therapy program can be especially helpful for people who cannot travel to rehabilitation centers. In addition, the home-based therapy program can be customized to a patient’s needs. For example, an office worker may need to relearn fine motor skills on a computer. Whatever the case, the ultimate goal is to return the person to their former life as fully as possible.
