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Case management has faced enormous challenges during the pandemic, which have necessitated big changes from within the profession. Here, in the latest in our Q&A series with case managers from across the country, Jenny Webster from Westcountry Case Management shares her experiences.

Can you summarise how the past few months have been for you. The last few months have been interesting to say the least! We have had to remain up to date with all the changes in government advice, whilst supporting our clients and support workers who are all managing their own lives within the context of the pandemic.

Every aspect of neurophysiotherapy has had to adapt with the onset of COVID-19, including how students prepare for a career in the profession. Here, student Tabitha Pridham discusses her experience of a pandemic placement.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of physiotherapists routinely holding sessions with clients remotely was quite  unlikely. While used to some degree in a small number of practices nationally, telerehab, as it has now become widely known, was not on the agenda of many

Artificial intelligence could help stroke survivors get the right treatment by detecting a patient’s post-stroke depression type, a Japanese study shows.

The AI was developed by Hiroshima University (HU) researchers using a probabilistic artificial neural network called log-linearized Gaussian mixture network. The neural network was trained to distinguish between depression, apathy, or anxiety based on 36 evaluation indices obtained from functional, physical, and cognitive tests on 274 patients.

What began as a schoolboy dream to raise a few pounds to thank the medics who had supported him throughout his childhood has become a much-loved fundraising organisation which has generated over £245,000 for good causes. Here, Andrew Baker discusses his pride at being able to help fellow young hospital patients and brain injury survivors through his Play2Give organisation.

Having lived with a brain injury since birth, spending much of his younger years in and out of hospitals for ongoing treatment and undergoing major brain surgery at the age of 12, Andrew Baker decided he wanted to give something back. “The medical teams were amazing, they were so brilliant, and I decided I just wanted to say thank you. It will be 19 years ago in January when I was in year 10 at St Birinus School in Didcot and thought how nice it would be to raise some money for them as a way to give back,” he recalls.

COVID-19 regulations have led to reduced social interaction and periods of isolation, but new research has unveiled the effect this can have on the brain.

Scientists from the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital found that the brains of those who reported feelings of loneliness had distinct differences compared to those who did not. This included different volumes in certain regions, as well as a contrast in how these regions interact with each other. The 40,000 middle-aged or older patients involved in this study completed a psychological self-assessment to decide whether they were classed as lonely or not.

A global community of therapists has been created to share best practice and knowledge, while enabling new and creative ways of thinking, working and support for clients to be developed using research, insight and experience from around the world.

Remote Rehab was established during the COVID-19 lockdown, during the unexpected and widespread introduction of telerehab when many in-person visits to clients were no longer possible. The online group was set up as a forum for therapists, experts and researchers around the world to connect, creating an opportunity to share information and knowledge, as well as providing much-needed support to fellow professionals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced huge changes within case management and the traditional ways in which clients have been supported. In our continuing series of Q&A features with case managers across the country, Martin Gascoigne of Neuro Case Management UK (NCMUK) shares his experiences.

Can you summarise how the past few months have been for you. The past few months for NCMUK have been extremely challenging. This is due to the Government initially ring fencing all of the PPE supplies for NHS staff which made it very difficult for us to procure the necessary equipment. Also, due to our Paediatric Clients Parents furloughing, we have experienced different challenges with the type and level of care that they felt they would like us to provide whilst still working in accordance with National Minimum Standards.

An acquired brain injury (ABI) can happen to anyone. It doesn't discriminate and can occur following a traumatic event such as a stroke, illness or accident.

Here personal injury expert Louise Jenkins, of Irwin Mitchell, talks to occupational therapist, Suzanna Anthony, about how she’s supporting people with memory issues through the pandemic; and what methods and tools there are to assist with memory problems that affect daily life. Louise: So how exactly can a brain injury affect memory?

Eight former professional rugby players are planning a groundbreaking lawsuit against the sport's governing bodies which could massively shake up its safety regulations.

Despite being under the age of 45, all the players involved have been diagnosed with early onset dementia, which is likely to have come from repeated head trauma while playing the sport. The lawsuit will be filed against the sports worldwide governing body World Rugby, as well as the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union. Solicitor Richard Boardman of Rylands Law is leading the case, representing more than 100 former players who have complained about symptoms of neurological conditions.