Your brain is “command central” for your life. It makes imagination, self- expression, and decision-making possible. Brain injury occurs when there is damage to one or more parts of the brain, or to the entire brain. Traumatic brain injury or TBI and stroke are common causes of brain related disability. According to the CDC,TBI is a serious public health problem in the US, that affects 1.7 million people every year. Other types of brain brain injuries, such as stroke and ruptured aneurysms can cause similar levels of disability as TBI.
A CT of the head years after a traumatic brain injury showing an empty space marked by the arrow were the damage occurred. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Rehabilitation from brain injury requires intensive help from doctors, and physical therapists, but there are many exercises that help brain injury patients recover at home. The University of Alabama, Birmingham’s website provides detailed instructions for home exercises that can help brain injury patients recover skills such as fine motor control, attention/ concentration, and memory-orientation. “Daily Activities,” “Search and Find,” and “Puzzles” are exercises that help brain injury patients rebuild these skills.
Daily Activities Exercise
Attention and concentration are essential for normal everyday functioning and learning. University of Alabama, Birmingham’s Traumatic Brain Injury Model System recommends training in every day activities as an exercise that can help build attention and concentration skills.
The “Daily Activities” exercise involves 3 progressive levels of activities. An example of level one activity is getting dressed. Using a camera is a level 2 activity. Programming a VCR is a level 3 activity. Use very basic language in giving instructions. Avoid distractions such as television or radio background noise.
“Search and Find” Exercise
“Search and Find” is an exercise that builds fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are involved in daily actions such as combing hair, inserting a key in a lock, picking up an object, and counting money.
“Search and Find” has 4 progressive levels. The student should be blindfolded. Fill a large bowl with rice grains. The bowl should be big enough to fit both of the student’s hands.
- For level 1, place 2 small objects that can fit in the palm of the hand into the bowl. Ask the student to find the object in the rice and pull it out. Ask the student to identify the object.
- Level 2 repeats this exercise with 4 smaller objects such as a key.
- Level 3 repeats the exercise with 4 smaller objects such as a toothpick.
- For level 4 repeat exercises 1 to 3, but with sand instead of rice. Sand is more difficult to manipulate.
“Puzzles” Exercise
“Puzzles” is an activity that helps to build memory and orientation skills. Memory and orientation skills tell you who you are and where you are in space and time. Memory also stores information about relevant people, places and things in your life.
There are 5 progressive levels. You can use a store-bought puzzle, or one made from cut up pages of a magazine that have been pasted to poster-board.
- Level 1 starts by working with the student. The puzzle should have only a few pieces. Gradually let the student work alone.
- Level 2 uses a 10 to 15 piece puzzle.
- For level 3 use a 25 to 50 piece puzzle.
- Level 4 uses 100 pieces.
- Level 5 uses a 250, 500, or 1000 piece puzzle as a family activity. Leave the puzzle out for several days. Assemble small portions of the puzzle every day. Teach the student points on how to organize thinking about assembling a puzzle, such as how to recognize a border, or grouping pieces together by color.
References
- CDC; Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury; http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/
- University of Alabama, Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: UAB-TBIMS Home-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program
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