SLIs Neuro Wellness Program (NWP) provides physical, cognitive and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SLI’s Neuro Wellness Program (NWP) provides physical, cognitive and social fitness classes and recreational activities for acquired brain injury, helping improve health and functional abilities, leading to a higher quality of life.

Research h Based P Programs

A majority of the Neuro Wellness Program classes have been proven beneficial for acquired brain injury through research conducted by SLI’s Research Council,

• r other brain injury rehabilitation research entities. SLI’s Research Council:

Ann Charrette, DPT, MS, PCS, MCS MCPHS University Sean Clark, PhD Chair Kinesiology. Gordon College Michelle Demore-Taber, ScD, L/CBIS Brain Injury Service, Advocates Mel Glenn, MD Chief, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Timothy Kelliher, MD Director Stroke Program Beverly / Addison Gilbert Hospital Barb Kresge, MS,OTR/L,CBIS Krempels Center Laura Lorenz, PhD, MEd Research Director, SLI Nicole Godaire, Executive Director Brain Injury Association of MA Peter J. Noonan, President Supportive Living, Inc. Therese O’Neil-Pirozzi, ScD, CCC-SLP Northeastern University Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Richard Sanders, MS, CCC-SLP Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Barbara Webster Support Group Liaison BIA MA

Neuro Wellness Program Classes

• Adaptive Exercise
• Chair Yoga
• Boxing for Balance & Core
• Expressive Arts
• Music classes
• Drumming classes
• Horticulture Therapy
• Chess Club
• Conversation and Communication

What is SLI Adaptive Exercise?

The Adaptive Exercise class provides a person centered exercise routine created by participants, and SLI instructors, to meet the individuals specific needs. The classes have from 3 to 6 people and provide:

• A fully accessible gym
• Modified exercise equipment
• Safety features such as harnesses and braces

to stabilize and support participants

• Specialized experienced trainers
• Low fees (scholarships available)
• One-on-one assistance

One One-on

• n one

e Assistance e

• College interns provide crucial one-
• n-one support and motivation to

all participants in the Adaptive Exercise Program

• Internships provide students

interested in medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and similar programs with the opportunity to

• btain meaningful experience
• Interns help create fun, engaging

environment

Adapti tive E Exercise - Benefi fits ts

• Improve balance, cardio, coordination,

flexibility, strength

• Control cholesterol, blood pressure,

weight

• Improve sleep
• Decrease reliance on assistive devices,

and hands on assistance

• Increase independence
• Build Confidence
• Fight depression

Don

• Regular, committed involvement in the

exercise program has helped him move from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane – and he keeps improving.

“After his brain injury, my brother began this program. He has improved in so many ways – walking, dressing, even socializing. He is much more confident now!”

Chair Y r Yoga

• Improved Breathing
• Decreased pain in shoulders and back
• Feeling relaxed after each session
• Improved seated posture
• preventing skin breakdowns
• Adapted yoga may offer additional

benefits beyond those offered by traditional exercise for patients who have suffered a brain injury. This additional benefit is thought to be due to the integration of mind, body and spirit, which is an inherent part of yoga practice.

Boxi xing for r Balance, Core and More….

• Functional movement training exercises

(40 minutes) used by boxers are very effective for helping individuals with brain injury address many issues: balance, tremor, shuffle, rigidity, weak side, etc.

• 20 minutes of “hitting the bag,”

following the various sequence of jab – cross - hook – and uppercut are a complete cognitive challenge

Exp xpressive A Art rts

• “…arts therapies also contribute significantly to

the humanization and comfort of modern health care institutions by relieving stress, anxiety, and pain of patients and caregivers.” (Pratt 2004)

• Expressive arts classes allow participants to

engage in meaningful, fulfilling and dynamic self- expression

• Participation encourages the use of cognitive and

fine motor skills applicable to everyday tasks

• The program further encourages positive social

interactions with other participants and the program staff

OT students from Boston University run an expressive arts group

Donna na

• Suffered a Traumatic brain

injury at age 23

• Participates in adaptive

exercise, art and drumming “My daughter’s involvement in the program has been incredible! From the exercise classes, to art and music – she is a new person! Thank you.”

Mu Music P Programs ms

• “Specific treatments may include the use of rhythmic

stimulation to aid movement and walking, singing to address speaking and voice quality, listening to music to reduce pain and the use of music improvisations to address emotional needs and enhance a sense of wellbeing.” (Magee et al. 2010)

• Music programs, facilitated by Amplifi, a program of the

Real School of Music, get survivors involved in classes that allow them to enjoy and learn about music

• Group projects may include songwriting, creating a music

video, group singing, and more

• Encourages participants to engage socially and work on

cognitive skills such a short-term and long-term memory retrieval, executive functioning and more

Participants perform an original song

Drumming C Classes

• Drumming classes may support a group of

5-8 survivors

• Learning new rhythms and playing them

together promotes physical activity and provides a cognitive task

• Participants are exposed to music and

rhythms of different cultures

• Encourages social engagement with one

another and with the instructor(s)

An intern supports a drumming participant

Horticulture

• “Studies have reported the benefits of

horticultural therapy and garden settings in reduction of pain, improvement in attention, lessening of stress, modulation

• f agitation, and reduction of falls”

(Detweiler, et al. 2012)

• Numerous physical and cognitive benefits
• Hand-eye coordination
• Fine motor skills
• Social interaction
• Planning ahead
• Participants learn about nutrition and

health as well as practical gardening techniques

Chess a and G Games Club

• “Health education programs with a board game

component are useful for both preventive and therapeutic intervention for cognitive-behavioral functioning, psychological conditions, and life-style diseases” (Nakao 2019)

• Social Benefits
• Friendly competition
• Working and conversing with others
• Cognitive benefits
• Strategizing, planning
• Logical and creative thinking
• Fine motor skills

Convers rsation Club

• Practice expressing thoughts in a

social situation

• Work on speaking in a coherent

and audible manner

• Interacting with others
• Keeping up with current events,

sports, movies, and more

• Especially beneficially for those

living with aphasia

Neu euro W Wel elln lnes ess s Class Lo Locati tions

for specific addresses visit www.supportivelivinginc.org

• Adaptive Exercise - Lexington, Wenham, Marblehead
• Chair Yoga - North Reading
• Boxing for Balance & Core - Lexington
• Expressive Arts - Lexington, Rockport, Woburn
• Music classes - Lexington
• Drumming classes – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn
• Horticulture Therapy – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn, North Reading
• Chess Club – Lexington, Rockport
• Conversation and Communication - Lexington

• Fitness. Function. Fun
• Social. Social. Social