How can brain injury manifest and what rehabilitation is available to survivors? The team at PhysioFunction discuss the impact of ABI and its work in supporting people in rebuilding their lives through rehab
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) results from injury, disease or disorder affecting the brain. This includes brain injuries sustained at birth, through to traumatic brain injuries (for example caused by falls or road traffic accidents) and stroke.
The symptoms of ABI can vary across the whole spectrum of function, depending on the site, extent and severity of the damage caused. Broadly speaking, the symptoms experienced correlate closely with the area of the brain that is damaged:
The side of the brain that is damaged also impacts the symptoms experienced. Firstly, the left hemisphere controls movement and sensations on the right side of the body, and the right hemisphere controls movement and sesations on the left side of the body. Furthermore, the left and right hemispheres have distinct responsibilities. The left hemisphere is responsile for most verbal and logical functions, including thought and memory involving words. The right hemisphere however is responsible for nonverbal and intuitive functions, such as pattern recognition, and expressing and understanidng emotions.
Treatment of ABI involves the entire MDT, from medical professionals in neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry, to healthcare professionals such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and lanuguage therapists, music therapists, rehabilitation instructors, as well as carers and personal assistants.
Considering physical rehabilitation, people with ABI may require a wide range of therapeutic modalities to address upper and lower limb function, trunk control and balance, exercise tolerance and functional task training. PhysioFunction employ the Rehabilitation Triad to support ABI rehabilitation, combining hands-on therapy, rehabilitation and exercise.
Rehabilitation technologies have a large part to play in the rehabilitation of ABI to enhance repetitions and intensity of the therapy to learn or re-learn functions and abilities. For example, the Litegait body weight support system and AlterG anti-gravity treadmill are two modalities that enable an individual stand in a stable and bodyweight supported environment and practice tasks such as balance, walking, coordination and motor control.
Virtual reality enhanced rehabilitation, such as with the MindMotion GO also has a significant impact on the rehabilitation of ABI. The incorporation of gamified actvities, enhancing engagement and motivation with tangible rewards and feedback, helps to re-educate movement patterns, build fitness and enhance functional ability.
Hands on Neurological Physiotherapy, involving the manipulation of the body to facilitate and enhance activity, may also be incorporated into ABI rehabilitation. Goals of such therapy would commonly be to improve postural alignment, grading of muscle activity, coordiantion and selectivity of movement, and management of muscle tone.
Exercise is an essential component of ABI rehabilitation and enables the individual to directly influence their rehabilitation and building strength, exercise tolerance, flexibility and stability can substantially reduce the incidence of secondary complications arising from sedentary behaviour that has long been associated with ABI.
At PhysioFunction, our PFit team of specalist personal trainers and sports therapists work with client to develop targetted and bespoke exercise programs to optimise physical conditioning and support daily function.
