ABSTRACT
An occupational therapy method termed Intellectual Function Training (IFT) is presented for cognitive retraining of patients with brain damage. Comprehensive training material, comprising about 900 pages, is described. The method is used to remediate intellectual dysfunction and to give intellectual stimulation, particularly concerning the following abilities: visual perception ability, spatial ability, verbal ability, numerical ability, memory ability and logical ability. The material is used for systematic individualized, daily treatment over a period of 2-4 months. The way in which the material is used is based on neuropsychological and pedagogical principles. Examples of training tasks and the training procedure are given.
Subject(s)
Brain Damage, Chronic/rehabilitation , Cognition Disorders/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy/methods , Adult , HumansABSTRACT
Intellectual Function Training (IFT) is an occupational therapy method for remediating cognitive functions in patients with acquired brain damage and has been presented in a previous paper. It has been evaluated by comparing a group of trained patients (n = 13) using the IFT method with a control group (n = 13) which underwent conventional rehabilitation. The trained group received IFT for 40 min each day, 5 days a week for about three months. Age, education and neurological status did not differ between the groups. The measurement methods of evaluation were Intellectual Function Assessment (IFP) and three psychometric test batteries. At the beginning of the study there was no significant difference in any subtest between the two groups. After the training period there was a significant difference of at least p less than 0.05 between the trained and the control group in the IFP battery, except for the Long-term Memory subtest. The improvement for the trained group was evident six months later at the time of the follow-up measurement, clearly indicating a significant difference between the groups. In one psychometric subtest a significant difference of p less than 0.01 was found. Within the experimental group over the study time there was a slight increase in performance which was notable in seven of the psychometric subtests p less than 0.05-p less than 0.001. The positive effect of IFT is considered to be specific for the type of task in which the patients were trained, while evidence of the effect on general intellectual function is inconclusive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Subject(s)
Brain Damage, Chronic/rehabilitation , Cognition Disorders/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy/methods , Adult , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
A plaster cradle for vertebral fracture stabilization in paraplegic patients is described. Thirteen consecutively referred patients have been treated. The advantages of the cradle are that it allows early mobilization in the vertical plane, early ambulation in a convertible wheel-chair in the ward and out-doors and that the nursing staff are subject to less strain during turning sessions than they would be if methods involving lifting were used. Use of the plaster cradle has not given rise to any complications in the form of pressure sores or increased neurological symptoms. The fracture healing is similar to that observed when other methods of stabilization are used.
