Overview of the Neuro-rehabilitation Program
Neuro-rehabilitation is a combination of interventions that help a patient to fully or partially recover after neurological injury or disease. The Neuro-rehabilitation Program team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Neurological Institute has specific clinical expertise that focuses on helping individuals recover to their maximum functional potential through a tailored, Patients First approach.
The Neuro-rehabilitation Program offers inpatient and outpatient care to adults, starting at 16 years of age. At present, inpatient neuro-rehabilitation (care for patients who have been admitted to the hospital) is only offered in acute cases. Patients who are discharged from the hospital continue to see Neuro-rehabilitation Program caregivers for outpatient care. For post-acute inpatient rehabilitation, patients may be referred to other facilities.
What we treat
At the Neurological Institute’s Neuro-rehabilitation Program, a well-trained team of experts focuses on the patient’s neurological impairments to work restore function completely or develop strategies to compensate for lost function. Neuro-rehabilitation is delivered in a multidisciplinary setting, with caregivers working together to achieve the best outcomes for each patient. The overall aim of all interventions is to reduce the impact of impairments, achieve the highest potential for each patient, and maximize independence.
Patients with the following conditions may require neuro-rehabilitation:
- Stroke: A medical emergency in which part or parts of the brain are deprived of blood supply, leaving them without oxygen and nutrients. After a few minutes, brain cells can die, causing functional loss.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): A condition in which the immune system attacks the outer protective lining of brain and spinal cord nerves. This causes issues with nerve communication that can leave the patient physically and mentally disabled if the condition is not properly managed.
- Parkinson’s disease: A degenerative nervous system disorder that affects the motor system (which controls movement). It can start gradually with minor shaking or trembling and progress to cause stiffness, slowing of movement, and speech problems that usually worsen over time.
- Cerebral palsy: A neurological disorder affecting motor skills, muscle tone, and body movement. This condition can be present at birth or be caused by brain damage that happens in the first three to five years of life.
The Neuro-rehabilitation program also offers treatment to patients suffering from other neurodevelopmental disabilities, cognitive impairment, or upper or lower limb paralysis or weakness due to any other neurological condition.
Diagnosis & treatment with Neuro-rehabilitation
Diagnosis with Neuro-rehabilitation
On entering the Neuro-rehabilitation Program, the patient is fully assessed by the nursing team and a consultant physician. Next, the physician refers the patient for more detailed assessment by the appropriate specialists in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and language pathology/therapy.
Results are reviewed by the multidisciplinary team in order to determine if any additional tests are needed and to tailor a treatment plan for the patient. The team then discusses the treatment plan, which is always based on the patient’s specific goals, to the patient and family members.
Treatment with Neuro-rehabilitation
After the treatment plan has been put in place, specialized caregivers in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and language therapy begin to work with patients on a regular basis to meet treatment goals. Progress on achieving treatment goals is carefully monitored and shared with the patient and family in regular meetings.
Patients are discharged from the Neuro-rehabilitation Program when all goals have been achieved, or when no further improvement is noted in response to all appropriate interventions.
Neuro-rehabilitation Program caregivers
Because of the multidisciplinary nature of neuro-rehabilitation, the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Neurological Institute’s Neuro-rehabilitation Program brings together a range of caregivers with different areas of expertise.
Caregivers involved in patient care for this program are:
- Neuro-rehabilitation Physician
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech and language pathologists
- Specially trained nurses
- Nutritionists
The Neuro-rehabilitation Program team works closely with caregivers outside the program, including neurointensivists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and hospitalists. The team is also linked with the neurology and neurosurgery specialties and supported by a pharmacologist.