Neurorehabilitation » Methods of Neurorehabilitation » Brain-Gym
Brain-Gym
Brain-Gym is a complex of exercises aimed at overcoming the difficulties that inevitably arise in the restorative functions of the brain and spinal cord lost due to pathologies. The main idea, on which this method of neurorehabilitation is based, involves the interrelation of three elements: brain, body and emotions of the patient.
The brain is continuously receiving certain signals from different receptors, even at rest. These signals coming from the sensory organs and muscles form various combinations and thus activate neural connections, while each of these combinations represents the learning process, upon which is the basis of the rehabilitation program is formed.
Once a patient has damaged the brain or spinal cord, they are like babies again. The patient has to relearn to control his own body and sensory organs again. As soon as the person starts moving, their brain forms an internal map of movements that allows them to interact with the surrounding world - this is the sensorimotor intelligence.
Its development begins with the mastering of basic movements and primary reflexes, which are the same for all people. As a result, this basis serves as a ground for learning more complex movements. During the first session after the condition, the patient relearns many possible combinations of movement and positions of the hands, legs, eyes, body, etc. These combinations should form the specified map of movements. If not hampered by a trauma or emotional stress, the process is continuous, while doctors aim to accelerate it as much as possible and provide favorable conditions for rehabilitation.
It is important to note that the process of formation of sensorimotor intelligence after brain damage should be directed or otherwise the rehabilitation will be much slower. Meanwhile, other person’s abilities, including intellectual ones, directly depend on the quality of training at the stage of formation of sensorimotor intelligence.
The time interval allocated to the formation of sensorimotor intelligence after brain damage is quite small. The person strives to recover the lost functions as quickly as possible. This leads to the probability of its insufficiently balanced and complete formation. One of the tasks of the Brain-Gym is to recover the skills of sensorimotor coordination, movement and balance.
Exercises offered in the program
The Brain-Gym program includes 26 exercises aimed at restoring, training and activating various sensorimotor skills that have a positive impact on the higher cognitive abilities of a person. The exercises are divided into four groups and aim to develop three types of sensorimotor skills.
The first category involves the skills of organizing the body and maintaining the balance (both in motion and at rest), in particular, the ability to keep the head in a given position, maintain the vertical position of the body while walking and standing still. Also, these skills include the ability to make a direct movement, stretch, bend, push objects, pull, spin and turn, carry or lift objects. The restoration of the above mentioned skills can be achieved through the so-called "energetic” exercises that help the patient to interact with the inanimate objects ("where is it?").
The second group of exercises aims to develop the skills of organizing the personality and maintaining a balance in a social environment, in particular, the ability to self-control and play games. The exercises help the patient to interact with other people ("where am I in relation to others?").
The second group of skills that the Brain-Gym program aims to develop includes the ability to control movement: crawling, running, walking, climbing, jumping and skipping. These are the movements associated with highly organized cognitive activity: understanding, forecasting and long-term concentration. The exercises of the third group aim to develop these skills, help the patient to assess his position relative to other objects ("where am I?").
The last group of skills includes communication skills and sensorimotor coordination: seeing and listening, releasing and holding objects, drawing, writing, the use of tools, counting, throwing, catching the ball, etc. The fourth group of exercises ("what is it? ") is aimed at developing these skills.
These four groups of exercises correspond to three basic types of movement: maintaining equilibrium, movement and sensorimotor coordination. Further, these exercises develop the physical mechanisms of the three main functions:
- Organization. The exercises of the first group develop the ability to plan, arrange and align, while the exercises of the second group help the patient to relax, maintain emotional stability and interact with other people;
- Control. The exercises of the third group allow the patient to relieve tension, restore the ability to concentrate, express themselves and take the initiative;
- Communication. The skills of information processing, writing, speaking and listening.
A specific rehabilitation program is developed with due consideration of brain functions affected as a result of the disease. The structure of the Brain-Gym system makes it easy to choose the optimal exercises that work with each patient.
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