Therapy techniques, which are among the most preferred treatment methods in the field of mental and emotional health, have become quite popular among patients, especially in recent years. There are 2 important methods of therapy techniques. These therapy techniques, which are quite different from each other, are as follows:
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
The first of these, psychotherapy, is a concept familiar to almost everyone. Applied by experts in the field, this technique must be carried out in a clinical setting. Lasting an average of 50 minutes, psychotherapy generally involves a process where he talks about himself and his way of perceiving his environment. In this process, structured sessions are aimed at helping him make sense of the topics he discusses.
Cognitive rehabilitation, which is another therapy method, can be used both for specific disorders and in addition to psychotherapy sessions. Although people are somewhat unfamiliar with this technique, it is becoming increasingly popular every day because it is a very effective and successful therapy method.
What is Cognition?
In order to best understand the concept of cognitive rehabilitation, it is first necessary to be able to answer the question of what cognition is. A person must experience a set of cognitive processes in order to perceive himself and the world. For example; everything performed in an abstract sense, such as memory, sequencing, set-shifting, directing attention, thinking, planning, reasoning, and deduction, are among cognitive functions. Cognitive functions are used actively both in psychotherapy sessions and in the cognitive rehabilitation process.
In Which Situations is Cognitive Rehabilitation Used?
Cognitive rehabilitation is used in individuals experiencing loss of cognitive functions due to brain injury or neurological disorders. This treatment method helps regain cognitive skills weakened due to damage occurring in the brain tissue, especially in patients who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). Situations where it is commonly used are:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Stroke (paralysis)
- Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Brain tumors
- Brain infections
- Loss of cognitive functions after neurosurgery
Cognitive Rehabilitation in Acute Brain Injuries
Cognitive rehabilitation is preferred when the brain is acutely injured. To explain in more detail, this therapy technique is needed when head trauma occurs for any reason. Especially as a result of damage to some networks of the brain due to bleeding after an accident, disruptions occur in some cognitive functions of the brain. Cognitive therapy is applied to eliminate such problems.
In addition, in situations such as right frontal brain bleeding or tissue injury;
- Paying attention,
- Controlling his behaviors,
- Controlling his emotions,
- Acting appropriately in a social environment,
- Impairments emerge in many skills such as expressing himself.
In addition to these, problems occur in short-term memory and information processing systems. Since the brain is generally an organ that renews and repairs itself, it starts to restructure after the bleeding occurring in these areas is cleared. However, in order for this process to be much faster, support must be obtained from psychotherapists. At this point, cognitive rehabilitation is a very effective method.
Cognitive Rehabilitation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
In addition to head traumas, cognitive rehabilitation is also frequently used in neurodegenerative diseases. In such diseases as well, neuron death occurs and losses occur in certain cognitive functions. Cognitive rehabilitation is needed for the brain to regenerate its neurons.
Moreover, thanks to this rehabilitation method, the progression of diseases is prevented. The most common of these neurodegenerative diseases can be listed as follows:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia syndrome
- Parkinson's
- Hydrocephalus
Each of these types of diseases, when progressed, lowers the person's quality of life. Therefore, the treatment process must be carried out using the cognitive rehabilitation method. Otherwise, problems such as difficulty in face recognition, trouble remembering acquaintances, and memory disorders can reach serious dimensions. Cognitive rehabilitation and TMS ensure that such problems are reduced. Cognitive rehabilitation is a very effective program in terms of preserving the health of the emotional, thought, and behavioral system, and its application is strongly recommended by experts.
What is the Cognitive Rehabilitation Process Like?
With methods called transcranial magnetic stimulation, the brain is accelerated or the parts that are faster than necessary are slowed down. During the application process, a magnetic system is delivered to his brain and the brain's repair process is accelerated. The cognitive rehabilitation process, which lasts an average of 50 minutes, is carried out together with a therapist.
The individual sits in front of a computer and plays games where real life is simulated. In this way, he regularly exercises his cognitive functions while thinking about where he made a mistake, where he was deficient, and which strategies he should use. Thanks to these exercises performed in front of the computer, the neurons in the problematic areas of the brain are worked, and recovery in these regularly worked areas is accelerated.
Benefits of Cognitive Rehabilitation
Cognitive rehabilitation is a treatment method that offers comprehensive benefits for individuals experiencing brain injury or loss of cognitive function. This process helps patients regain cognitive functions that are vital in daily life, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, language, and executive skills. First of all, in individuals experiencing memory problems, the strengthening of short- and long-term memory is ensured. Especially patients who experience memory loss after a stroke or brain trauma can better cope with the challenges they encounter in their daily lives thanks to this rehabilitation.
For patients with attention and concentration problems, cognitive rehabilitation offers exercises aimed at increasing attention span and improving the ability to focus. This enables him to be more productive at work or in daily life. The development of executive functions such as problem-solving and decision-making strengthens individuals' skills in logical thinking, planning, and completing complex tasks. This allows them to be more effective and independent in their business or social life.
In addition, the improvement of language and communication skills helps patients who have difficulty speaking or experience a loss of language functions to communicate better. This contributes to the strengthening of social relationships and an increase in his participation in social life. Furthermore, cognitive rehabilitation teaches patients strategies to cope with cognitive difficulties. For example, an individual with attention deficit or memory loss can learn methods to strengthen their memory in their daily routines through these therapies.
Another important benefit is the increase in quality of life. Cognitive rehabilitation helps patients meet their own needs more independently, establish better social relationships, and regain daily functionality. In addition, cognitive rehabilitation can contribute to the reduction of psychological effects such as depression and anxiety that may occur after a brain injury. Thus, patients can show improvement not only cognitively but also emotionally.
In conclusion, cognitive rehabilitation is a comprehensive treatment process that allows individuals not only to regain their cognitive functions but also to lead a more independent and active life by improving their quality of life. This treatment both increases patients' self-confidence and helps them integrate better into society.