Therapeutic focus areas

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a hit or jolt to the head or body harms the brain. TBI can be mild, moderate or severe. A more serious TBI can cause long-term challenges or death. TBI can cause a wide range of changes that affect thinking, sensation, language, emotions, and physical abilities. Comprehensive, customized rehabilitation options enable survivors to overcome their challenges and reclaim their lives. An estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer TBIs each year, and more than 5 million people currently live with a TBI-related disability in the United States.

A concussion is the mildest form of TBI. It is the most common but least serious type of brain injury. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It’s characterized by problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment. Mild cognitive impairment may increase the risk of later developing dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other neurological conditions.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks cells in parts of the central nervous system – particularly the brain and spine – causing them to work less efficiently, or not at all.

MS can produce motor, sensory, and cognitive symptoms, as well as significant fatigue. Motor symptoms can include weakness or numbness/tingling in parts of the body. Sensory symptoms can include loss of vision or blurred vision. Cognitive symptoms include slowed thinking speed, difficulties paying attention, reduced recent memory, word finding, and trouble with problem solving. Visuospatial skills can be affected at times too. Emotional symptoms can also occur.

Cognitive impairments within Parkinson’s disease encompass a spectrum of difficulties associated with thinking, memory, and mental processing. These challenges can manifest alongside the motor symptoms of the condition and may involve issues with memory retention, attention, executive function, and the capacity to plan and coordinate tasks. While not universally experienced among those with Parkinson’s, cognitive problems can significantly impact daily functioning and should be closely supervised and addressed as an integral part of the overall treatment strategy.

Dementia encompasses the progressive loss of cognitive abilities—thinking, remembering, and reasoning— to the extent that it disrupts daily life and activities. In some cases, individuals with dementia may experience emotional instability and undergo personality changes. Its severity spans a spectrum, from the initial stages with subtle effects on functioning to the advanced stages, necessitating complete assistance with basic daily activities.

Dementia can result from various diseases and injuries, either directly or indirectly affecting the brain, with Alzheimer’s disease and stroke being prominent contributors. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, alone accounts for 60-70% of cases.

In the management of individuals with mild dementia, a holistic approach involves promoting physical, social, and mental engagement. Timely diagnosis is crucial as it can help mitigate the functional decline associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening and training play pivotal roles in this process, aiding in early identification and targeted interventions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of individuals across the country. While most individuals recover from the virus completely within a few weeks, many experience lasting effects of the virus for months.

For those experiencing persistent symptoms – whether following a prolonged hospital stay or recovery at home – rehabilitation may be beneficial in managing physical, cognitive and emotional deficits following recovery of the virus.

For individuals who have suffered a COVID-19-related stroke or neurologic injury, speech therapy can help improve communication and language skills. Speech therapy can treat cognitive symptoms such as impaired word retrieval, attention, and memory deficits associated with COVID-related neurologic syndromes.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with cognitive impairments, learning difficulties and reduced social participation. Individual assessment is necessary for individually tailored interventions. With the right set of cognitive therapies and interventions, a child can learn to work within his or her limits, which in turn extends his or her ability to function.

Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction. Signs and symptoms of chemo brain may include the following: Confusion, Difficulty concentrating, Difficulty finding the right word, Difficulty learning new skills, Difficulty multitasking, Short attention span, Short-term memory problems, Taking longer than usual to complete routine tasks, Trouble with verbal memory, such as remembering a conversation, Trouble with visual memory, such as recalling an image or list of words. Computer-aided cognitive training helps to strengthen cognitive abilities of people who have cognitive symptoms derived from chemotherapy.