Recreational Therapy
The Changing “Game” of Rehabilitation
The course of occupational and physical rehabilitation after stroke, neurologic or traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a work in progress. For the client, it is not always fun, but fun is not the goal. The goal is to attain the best possible outcome consistent with the client’s physical and psychological abilities.
Many methods of physical and occupational therapy are staid and traditional; perhaps overly staid and traditional. Still, they have a place in the arsenal, but there are so many more innovative opportunities by which to help clients. Many are used at NeuLife. Many were considered unconventional even a very few years ago, but times have changed and NeuLife is ahead of the curve in its neurorehabilitative services and post-acute rehabilitation.
The distinctions are perhaps best illustrated by describing and comparing some of the traditional methods with the innovative ones that NeuLife uses. Some of the traditional implements of physical therapy are:
Electrical muscle stimulation: Involves the application of a mild electrical current to an injured part of the body. Many of the studies carried out on this topic relate to a comparison of its efficacy on athletes vs. non-athletes. The effectiveness of it also appears to be related to which limb, ligament or muscle is involved[1].
ICE: Ice, Compression and Elevation are stalwarts in the treatment of acute soft-tissue injuries. These are a far different type of injury than traumatic brain injuries, but initially, there may be aspects of the injuries, such as external swelling, for which ICE therapy can be useful. However, reflex and motor activity could become impaired following ICE treatment if used for more than 30 minutes at a time[2].
Massage: Encompasses many different techniques. In general, therapists press, rub and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may also use their forearms, elbows or feet[3]. A study that compared the relative benefit of massage therapy given to spinal cord injury clients to those who did not receive it, concluded that those getting massage therapy showed lower anxiety and depression levels[4]. There was no marked difference in long-term physical recovery.
One of the innovative methods of rehabilitating stroke and spinal cord injury clients used by NeuLife is by using modern virtual reality. Originally considered by many to be “games,” NeuLife has transformed them into important features of its rehabilitative therapy protocol for its clients.
How does it work?
Evidence suggests that a client will better follow exercise regimens that are seen as fun, rather than drudgery[5]. The use of virtual reality mechanisms, such as Wii®, fall into this category. For example, these mechanisms can help stroke victims regain some arm strength. A good example of this is the use of a Wii-based tennis or bowling game. The activity seems to help re-wire the brain’s ability to compensate for a loss to the injured area by strengthening another area. Further, games such as these are task-oriented—like achieving a strike or a certain score in a bowling game.
Other Wii games, such as Wii-Fit® and Ski Jump® can help clients with center-of-mass problems, facilitate walking and decrease the possibility of falling which is often the result of center-of-mass disturbances[6].
NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is a fully accessible residential post-acute program providing superior care and specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic amputations and other catastrophic injuries
2725 Robie Avenue
Mount Dora, Florida 32757
Call: 800-626-3878
Email: Info@NeuLifeRehab.com
Visit: NeuLifeRehab.com
[1] Effective of Electrical Muscle Stimulation, wiki.engr..illinois.edu?BIOE414
[2] Ice Therapy: how good is the evidence?, Int J. Sports Med. 2001, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11510876
[3] National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM),
[4] Spinal cord patients benefit from massage therapy. http://www.nchi..nlm.nih/pubmed/123225402
[5] Is Your WII the New Stroke Rehab? http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/05
[6] Video Capture of the circumstances of falls in elderly persons residing in long term care: an observational study, LANCET 2012
