Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)
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| Rehabilitation | |
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| Specialty | neurology |
Rehabilitation of sensory and
cognitive function typically involves methods for retraining neural pathways or training new neural pathways to regain or improve neurocognitive functioning that have been diminished by disease or trauma. The main objective outcome for rehabilitation is to assist in regaining physical abilities and improving performance.[1][2]
Three common neuropsychological problems treatable with rehabilitation are attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),[3] concussion,[4] and spinal cord injury.[1] Rehabilitation research and practices are a fertile area for clinical neuropsychologists, rehabilitation psychologists
, and others.
Methods
executive functions
, following a traumatic blow to the head.
Brain functions that are impaired because of traumatic brain injuries are often the most challenging and difficult to rehabilitate. Much work is being done in nerve regeneration for the most severely damaged neural pathways.
ADHD
. The rehabilitation targets cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and executive function (organization, planning, time management, etc.). Specific programs are tailored to develop and address an individual's challenges after a baseline assessment of abilities and challenges.
Concussion
Much research and focus has been given to
brain function following serious concussion—whether consciousness is lost or a dazed/confused feeling is experienced or not. Currently, rehabilitation of concussive brain injury is based on rest and gradual return to normal activities with as much involvement as can be tolerated.[5]
Methods & Tools
- Standardized neuropsychological tests
- These tasks have been designed so the performance on the task can be linked to specific standardized, meaning that they have been administered to a specific group (or groups) of individuals before being used in individual clinical cases. The data resulting from standardization are known as normative data. After these data have been collected and analyzed, they are used as the comparative standard against which individual performances can be compared. Examples of neuropsychological tests include: the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Boston Naming Test, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Benton Visual Retention Test, and the Controlled Oral Word Association.
- Brain scans
- The use of computed axial tomography(CAT or CT), which yields structural data.
- Global Brain Project
- Brain models based on mouse and monkey have been developed based on theoretical neuroscience involving working memory and attention, while mapping brain activity based on time constants validated by measurements of neuronal activity in various layers of the brain. These methods also map to decision states of behavior in simple tasks that involve binary outcomes.
- Electrophysiology
- The use of electrophysiological measures designed to measure the activation of the brain by measuring the electrical or magnetic field produced by the nervous system. This may include magneto-encephalography(MEG).
- Experimental tasks
- The use of designed experimental tasks, often controlled by computer and typically measuring reaction time and accuracy on a particular tasks thought to be related to a specific neurocognitive process. An example of this is the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery(CANTAB) or CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS).
See also
- Clinical neuropsychology – Sub-field of neuropsychology concerned with the applied science of brain-behaviour relationships
- Cognitive neuropsychology – branch of cognitive psychology
- Neuropsychology – Study of the brain related to specific psychological processes and behaviors
- Occupational therapy – Healthcare profession
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation – Branch of medicine
- Physiotherapy– Profession that helps a disabled person function in everyday life
- Rehabilitation psychology – Specialty area of psychology
- Speech therapy– Disability therapy profession
References
- ^ S2CID 222300017.
- ^ Henry, David. "Frequenzen". Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- PMID 28917364.
- PMID 27154855.
- ^ "Recovering from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion–A Guide for Patients and Their Families" (PDF).
- McKay Moore Sohlberg and Catherine A. Mateer (2001) Cognitive Rehabilitation: An Integrative Neuropsychological Approach. Andover: Taylor and Francis
- Halligan, P.W., & Wade, D.T. (Eds.) (2005). Effectiveness of Rehabilitation for Cognitive Deficits. Oxford University Press, UK.
External links
Media related to Rehabilitation at Wikimedia Commons
