Nanaimo Brain Injury Society hopes to help people sharpen their minds as they suffer from issues like concussions and COVID-19-caused mental impairment.
The non-profit is teaming with ABI Wellness, a company that deals with cognitive rehabilitation, to offer the Axis Cognitive Rehab clinic, aiding people in brain injury recovery. Powered by ABIB次元官网网址檚 Brain Enhance and Recovery System, it is based on aerobic activity, cognitive training, meditation exercises and progress tracking, and includes use of a computer.
A demonstration was held March 31 at the societyB次元官网网址檚 downtown Nanaimo office.
Shaun Porter, ABI Wellness chief operating officer, said Axis was initially intended for people suffering from concussions, but can be applied to anyone.
B次元官网网址淓ven in the first research study that we did B次元官网网址� we ended up opening it up to moderate and severe traumatic brain injury,B次元官网网址� said Porter. B次元官网网址淲e saw such an incredible response, regardless of initial diagnosis, that we realized this program is really applicable to anybody with a brain. They donB次元官网网址檛 even have to have an injury. Since weB次元官网网址檝e launched it clinically, weB次元官网网址檝e worked with people with stroke, chemo brain, long COVID, aging B次元官网网址� and so if you can engage in the program, you can benefit.B次元官网网址�
Patients are assessed and then programs are tailored to individuals while adhering to core principles, according to Porter.
B次元官网网址淲e identify what would be challenging for them physically and weB次元官网网址檙e just trying to get heart rate up, blood flow to the brain, to prepare the brain for the cognitive intervention,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hen we do the cognitive training and we look through our initial assessments, we identify what areas are a struggle point for them. We have different cognitive exercises that target those. We make sure that itB次元官网网址檚 set to a level that will challenge them appropriately and then they just get to work.B次元官网网址�
According to a press release, the B次元官网网址渉olisticB次元官网网址� program involves cognitive training, physical exercise, mindfulness and progress tracking and has shown B次元官网网址渋mpressiveB次元官网网址� patient outcomes.
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society first intake for the recovery system is set to start later this month at the societyB次元官网网址檚 facility on Bastion Street, with program costs starting at $500 per month for six months.
B次元官网网址淲e are interested in partnerships and sponsorships with folks because this is a fee-for-service program,B次元官网网址� said Kix Citton, the societyB次元官网网址檚 executive director. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have any grants or donations that support people at this point, so weB次元官网网址檙e looking to access resources for folks, which include the potential for businesses to sponsor a position.B次元官网网址�
People can find out more at the societyB次元官网网址檚 website, .
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