While being a physiotherapist I advocate physical activity over brain training for brain health. I definitely believe there are benefits to completing brain games and puzzles. Now this does not mean endless sessions on the play station or solitaire on the computer. The research is definitely stacking up in favour of researched and carefully planned activities. One great website I have found is BrainHQ which is heavily based on research in the field of neuroplasticity.  New research is also showing that specific brain training is having an impact on dementia and improvements in executive functioning. 

Brain HQ was started by Michael Merzencih, he is the founder of a great website Posit Science and prominent neuroscientist that works in the field of Neuroplasticity.

One study called the ACTIVE trial has shown that with just 10 hours of speed training ( a type of brain exercise offered by BrainHQ) dementia risk is almost halved. There was a 33% reduction in the incidence of dementia with 10 hours training and 48% reduction in the study participants that practised for longer than 10 hours. For more information on Speed training you can read the results on Posit Sciences Blog here, for full details do check out the FAQ. 

Other studies have also shown how the use of brain training from Posit science have had benefits in executive functioning including speed, attention, working memory and useful field of view. This independent research was published in Plos one. For a summary and information on other research into BrainHQ brain training exercise read this blog article on Posit science. 

See what you think is it time to add some brain training to your day on top of your physical activity.  

Information Day for Carers of those affected by Stroke 
Organised by the Stroke Foundation
An event with:
•    Guest speakers
•    Workshops & Information tables covering:
o    Carers experiences and connecting with other carers
o    Grief adjustment and self-care
o    Entitlements and access to services
o    Continence and Pharmacology

Date:        Wednesday, 2 November 2016
Venue:     Commerce Club of Auckland, 27-33 Ohinerau Street, Remuera
Time:        9.30am to 3.00pm
Cost:        $10 per person – includes registration, tea/coffee and lunch

Please contact Tracey Dealey for a registration form
Telephone:  09 475 0070 or  Email:  [email protected]

​Neurological rehabilitation is a specialised area of medicine and health with many different expert professionals involved all striving towards one common goal…

To improve the quality of life of the individual living with the neurological condition.

Health modules have presented for decades that close team work with good communication and a client centered approach are vital to achieve and maintain goals. However in reality this can often be difficult to achieve and even more so when outside of a hospital setting and in the community. With more and more health care systems turning towards different types of private set ups clients can get easily lost in the system and be completely unaware of the amazing professional skills out there.

Also as a health professional our quality of service is highly lifted when I am able to referrer and suggest all types of other professionals that would be able to assist my client. For example, neurological orthotists, clinical psychologists, dietions, speech and lanuage therapists, yoga instructors, equipment companies and even engineers who can help create leading technology.

With all this in mind we have set up the NZ Neuro Rehab Networking Group, we will have an informal get together in Auckland one evening once a quarter which is open to any professional working in the field of neurological rehabilitation. This will provide a platform for some fantastic networking and relationship building with all the same goal in mind…

Please like and follow the facebook page below to join the group and be kept up to date for when the first meeting will be.  FACEBOOK GROUP

A neurological condition is with you for life and it is important that you take steps to manage your condition.
 
A Neurological physiotherapist is well placed to help set you up to maintain and improve your quality of life. Often we see a physio when we have had an injury or we are struggling with our condition. We advocate that you take a more proactive approach to therapy and check in regularly to a neurological physiotherapist to ensure that you are on the right path and addressing any concerns before they start to impact your quality of life.
 
You should be booking a review with your therapist at least every 6 months, you may find that it is easier to stay accountable, motivated and ahead of major changes before they happen.
 
It is also highly beneficial to participate in an intensive program periodically, for example;
 

• If you have been newly diagnosed  
• If you want to make significant change and improvement
• If you want the increased power of self-management
• If there has been a change in your symptoms
• If you have had a change of medication
• If your goals have changed
• If you have slipped backwards due to unforeseen life event – which happen…that’s life 

​We recommend that if you are participating in an intensive program that you book a review for 6 weeks after completing the program to ensure you are still tracking towards your long term goals and then 3-6 monthly after that.