What is Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy ?

Cognitive rehabilitation is a goal-oriented program that aims to improve cognitive functions (memory, attention, and concentration) and daily living skills (i.e. using the telephone, managing medication, and handling money) that may have been affected by your stroke. The rehabilitation program is developed according to each client’s specific needs. The goal is to improve performance in tasks that are important to you.

Two approaches are usually adopted:

  • The remedial (or restorative) approach
  • The compensatory approach

Why use cognitive rehabilitation ?

Cognitive impairment, a problem involving the mind, is very common following neurological disorder. There are different kinds of cognitive impairment such as forgetfulness, confusion and/or disorientation. These impairments can interfere with safety, productivity, independence and personal relationships. Cognitive rehabilitation has been developed by physicians, scientists, and health professionals to improve cognitive function. This therapy also aims to help people with cognitive dysfunction deal with the impact it has on their lives. With the help of cognitive rehabilitation, many people can have a productive and satisfying following a stroke.


Approaches

The REMEDIAL/RESTORATIVE Approach
It comprises of 3 formats namely

  1. Drills and Practices
  2. This method uses repetitive practice to develop your cognitive abilities. You can retrain yourself to perform tasks by practicing them over and over until you have mastered them.

  3. Mnemonics Strategies
    1. Verbal Mnemonics strategy
      1. Songs
      2. Acronyms
      3. Rhymes
      4. Verbal stories
      5. Acrostics
    2. Imagery mnemonics strategy
      1. Numeric Peg Board
      2. Visual story method
      3. link Method
    3. Computer Based Tools
      1. Virtual Reality

        Virtual reality is a technology that allows you to interact with a computer simulated environment. Virtual reality can help to improve

      2. Short-term memory
      3. Selective attention
      4. Sustained memory
      5. Divided attention
    4. Other computerized tools
      1. Computer software exists to work on different cognitive abilities such as visual memory, verbal memory, attention to visual objects, etc. Activities to work on these functions include the use of numbers, letters, words, and shape sequences.

Compensatory Approach

It includes :

  • Changes in your environment (home, school,workplace etc.)
  • Alternating methods of performing activities.
  • Uses of assistive device to compensate for the normal functions