Injuries and damage to the brain frequently affect a person’s cognitive functioning, personality and sense of self. Knowing how to handle it is also a challenge for their friends and relatives. While the treatment of physical disabilities as a result of injuries to the brain is conducted by neurologists and therapists, the cognitive and emotional consequences are treated by neuropsychologists. Neuropsychology can be of great importance for a wide range of neurological conditions, including but not limited to:
Neuropsychology is a subdiscipline of psychology focused on the relationship between the brain and behaviour. When the brain is damaged by illness or accident, neuropsychologists help identify causes and develop treatments to restore an individual’s prior cognition to the best possible level of functioning and help patients develop compensatory strategies to help alleviate the impact of the brain injury on their daily lives.
Common cognitive consequences of brain injuries include:
Cognitive, emotional, or personality changes due to brain injury can result in patients having difficulty acting independently in everyday life. Reduced endurance, inability to concentrate, difficulty remembering or learning, visual perception, logical and rational thinking, arithmetic, planning and problems with establishing and following a schedule hinder recovery and rehabilitation, often driving the patient into social isolation.
At Kliniken Schmieder, we work with newly developed methods with patients to reduce disorders in mental performance, emotional control, and behaviour and support adaptation to a disability.
Diagnosing neuropsychological disorders involves comprehensively evaluating an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning. The evaluation typically includes a detailed medical and psychiatric history and an examination of the patient’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Neuropsychological assessments use various standardized tests to measure specific cognitive and behavioural functions. These tests include measures of intelligence, attention, memory, language, visuospatial skills, and executive function. There are also assessments to evaluate personality traits and emotional states.
Certain conditions and functional areas have standardized, systematic tests. For example:
At Kliniken Schmieder, experienced neuropsychologists use a combination of clinical interviews and standardized tests to evaluate the nature and severity of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural problems. These evaluations allow the professional team to identify areas of impairment and develop tailored treatment plans for each patient.
Neuropsychological assessments are an essential part of the rehabilitation process. They provide a baseline measure of cognitive and behavioural functioning, which helps clinicians track progress over time. In addition, we use the results to identify specific cognitive and behavioural difficulties where a targeted intervention may be successful.
All the neuropsychological interventions at Kliniken Schmieder follow the current guidelines published by the relevant professional societies and the hospital’s standards and practices. Neuropsychologists use evidence-based methods to guide their practices, relying, whenever possible, on empirically proven methods.
Target diagnostics are fundamental to neuropsychological therapy, including:
The Neuropsychologists work with the appropriate interdisciplinary team to develop tailored patient treatment plans for each aspect. They liaise with neurologists, psychiatrists, and occupational therapists, building on their advice and expertise to address specific cognitive and behavioural deficits: correcting the problem or developing adaptation strategies.
Specific therapies will depend on the underlying condition and results from the neuropsychological assessment. Common therapies include:
In most cases, patients will benefit from a combination of all therapies, in addition to rehabilitation techniques focused on specific function areas, like memory and attention, communication, or problem-solving. Patients often see improved cognitive function, a greater quality of life, and increased independence through intensive practices.
Computer-assisted therapy programs are also used to assist patients in gaining a better understanding of their current problems and developing compensation strategies and tools. Wherever possible, family members are included in the therapy – sometimes, it is necessary to provide strategies for dealing with and managing those affected.
Targeting specific cognitive and behavioural deficits allows individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Common challenges include developing new skills, adapting to environmental changes and developing effective coping strategies. The ultimate goal is to help individuals achieve optimal functioning and independence.
Neuropsychological therapy is a collaborative process involving the patient, their loved ones, and the interdisciplinary team. It requires a commitment from the patient to actively participate in their treatment and work towards their goals. It also requires ongoing communication between the patient and their healthcare team to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Neurological therapy has a firm and growing evidence base supporting its use in clinical practice. Specific benefits will depend on the patient’s condition. Patients generally have greater control of their symptoms, improved cognitive function, greater emotional stability, and a better overall quality of life.
The overarching goals guiding our neuropsychological therapy are:
Improved cognitive function is a primary goal of neuropsychological therapy, including:
Neuropsychological therapy will help patients develop strategies to improve their cognitive performance and overcome challenges. Treatment involves exercises and activities targeting specific mental aspects, such as memory training or problem-solving tasks. Patients also learn compensatory strategies to help manage symptoms, like memory aids or making organizational changes to their daily routines.
Another aspect of neuropsychological therapy is emotional regulation. Patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may struggle to regulate their emotions and experience intense or prolonged emotional reactions.
Neuropsychological therapy helps patients develop coping strategies to regulate their emotions and improve their overall emotional well-being. Therapy typically involves learning relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation, or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to identify and challenge negative thought patterns.
While personality changes tend to persist, targeted interventions can ameliorate specific symptoms and develop management strategies for dealing with aggressive outbursts. Family members can also be advised on how to fare with patients with personality changes.
Fundamentally, the goal is to improve the patient’s overall quality of life. While a complete restitution of function is rarely achievable, significant progress can be made in improving cognitive and emotional function, greater independence, and enhanced social functioning.
Patients who undergo neuropsychological treatment experience improvements in their ability to perform daily tasks, including:
In addition, enhancing communication and social skills reduces the risk of social isolation. Patients require greater social connectedness, which, in turn, increases their quality of life. Indeed, in a 2018 study involving 218 patients undergoing outpatient neuropsychological feedback sessions, participants reported significant improvement in quality of life, increased understanding of their condition, and increased ability to cope with their condition.
Another study highlighted the importance of cognition to quality of life after stroke, noting that choice reaction times, attention spans, and visuospatial abilities were all associated with better quality of life a year after the stroke.
Neuropsychology is one of the most critical therapeutic disciplines, as patients are often severely shaken after a neurological illness or accident.
At Kliniken Schmieder, our neuropsychologists are committed to providing high-quality care to our patients. We take a patient-centred approach to therapy, working closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan that meets their unique needs and goals. We also provide ongoing support and guidance throughout treatment to ensure our patients achieve their full potential.