What is ABI and what does it do to your cognition?
Acquired brain injury occurs after birth, for example due to an accident, a stroke, an infection or a lack of oxygen. Which symptoms you have depends on the location and severity of the injury. Read more about traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury.
Common cognitive problems
- Memory: remembering appointments and conversations less well
- Attention and concentration: easily distracted, difficulty sustaining a task
- Information processing: everything is slower, busy environments quickly become too much
- Executive functions: planning, organising, keeping an overview and switching
- Language: difficulty finding words or following conversations
Why cognitive rehabilitation is important
Cognitive rehabilitation focuses on two things: regaining functions as well as possible, and learning to deal with what is permanently different. Research shows that targeted training of attention, memory and executive functions can be effective, especially when it is linked to daily life. Rehabilitation preferably starts as soon as the acute phase is over, but training can still be worthwhile years later.
How a rehabilitation programme is structured
- Extensive cognitive assessment: neuropsychological testing maps your strengths and weaknesses.
- Personal goals: together with your therapist you decide what you want to be able to do again, for example work, drive or follow a conversation in a busy room.
- Targeted exercises and strategies: training of specific functions and compensation strategies, such as working with a diary and fixed routines.
- Evaluation and adjustment: regularly measuring what is improving and adjusting the plan accordingly.
Cognitive rehabilitation usually takes place at a rehabilitation centre, with an occupational therapist or a (neuro)psychologist, often together with other disciplines.
Exercises and tips for at home
- Memory: use lists, a fixed place for keys and phone, and a digital calendar with reminders.
- Attention: work on one task at a time, in a quiet environment, in short blocks with fixed breaks.
- Planning: divide big tasks into small steps and schedule demanding tasks for the time of day when you have the most energy.
- Language and communication: ask others to speak calmly, summarise what you hear and read in short sections.
- Digital aids: apps for reminders, planning and brain training can help. Discuss with your therapist which ones suit you.
Realistic expectations
Recovery is different for everyone. The greatest progress is often made in the first months, but improvement is still possible later on. Small, achievable goals keep you motivated and make progress visible.
Complementary support with oxygen and measurements
At The Oxygen Wellness Lab we offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy and light therapy as a complement to your rehabilitation, not as a replacement. Research into HBOT for brain injury is ongoing; it is not an established conventional treatment for this application. We measure your progress objectively with NeuroTrax and (Q)EEG, together with neuropsychologist Jeanine Jansen MSc.
Curious what this could mean for you? Book a free intake consultation.
This information is general and does not replace medical advice. We are not doctors. If you have symptoms, always contact your GP or specialist.
