Neurology

Neurorehabilitation unit is concerned with treating patients with various types of neurological diseases and from different age groups, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, in order to perform everyday activities independently.

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The most common neurological diseases: 

• Strokes, spinal injuries, and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy.

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Neurological diseases may be accompanied by many issues affecting several aspects:

• Cognitive and Perceptual

• Physical

• Sensory

• Psychological

• Behavioral

• Social and communication

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As a result of that, the individual’s ability to independently perform his daily life activities may be affected, such as drinking, eating, dressing, driving, etc. In addition, the individual’s ability to perform his/ her social roles is also affected such as an employee in his occupation, a father or mother caring for their children, brother, student, friend, etc. also his ability to practice hobbies is affected which disturbs his daily routine.

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Treatment begins with the evaluation stage, during which the specialist interviews the individual and evaluates him / her in order to find out the medical history, social environment and financial resources.

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By using various assessments, the occupational therapist may observe many symptoms including:

• Poor sensory skills

• Impaired cognitive abilities

• Imbalance

• Weakness in the muscles

• Lack of range of motion

• Disturbances in social and communication skills

• Deficit in the coordination of movement and the function of the hands

 

Then, the occupational therapist develops a treatment plan after evaluating the individual while taking into consideration his desires, priorities and what the therapist thinks is appropriate.

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A treatment plan can include:

• Changing the way an activity is performed

• Adapting the environment to fit an individual’s abilities

• Teaching an individual a new skill

• Restoring skills that were lost after the injury

 

The treatment plan includes the use of several purposeful and meaningful activities based on the skills that have been lost as a result of symptoms, such as:

• Improve body balance in sitting and standing

• Educate an individual about the appropriate way of doing a task or occupation

• Educate an individual about the best way of moving from one place to another to avoid a future injury or a deterioration in the current condition

• Improve the range of motion

• Strengthen the muscles

• Improve cognitive and proprioceptive skills such as memory, attention, and problem solving

• Customize splints that prevent a deformity in the joint and improve hand function skills

• Educate the individual about energy conservation techniques such as taking breaks while doing an activity

• Use of sensory stimuli to stimulate the senses of patients who are in coma to help them regain consciousness

• Modify the individual’s home environment to fit his abilities

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