THERAPY-Magazin
High-frequency interval therapy in neurorehabilitation
Discover how the P.A.N. Centre in Berlin uses high-frequency interval therapy and modular treatment plans to support recovery after brain injury. Learn more about personalised goals, digital tools like MindMotion Go, and interdisciplinary care.
Nico Stockheim
Head of Public Relations, Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation
High-frequency therapy programmes are a promising (new) therapeutic approach in neurological rehabilitation. The P.A.N. Centre for Post-Acute Neurorehabilitation of the Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation has already achieved therapeutic successes with the use of high-frequency interval therapy, and is now working on the project “Intensive phases with modules”.
A therapy programme is always successful when it is individually tailored to the needs of the patients and when goals are regularly discussed, reviewed and adapted. High-quality methods and services also play a decisive role, which is why the P.A.N. Centre always incorporates the latest research findings into its daily therapy work. New processes are established, evaluated and systematically improved in-house.
As part of this improvement process, high-frequency interval therapy has already been implemented and selectively applied. For this reason, the institution is currently working on a project entitled “Intensive phases with modules”, which incorporates the approach of frequent, intensive intervals into a comprehensive framework.
As part of this improvement process, high-frequency interval therapy has already been implemented and selectively applied. For this reason, the institution is currently working on a project entitled “Intensive phases with modules”, which incorporates the approach of frequent, intensive intervals into a comprehensive framework.
The “Intensive phases with modules” project at the P.A.N. Centre
The intensive phases are a modern therapeutic approach. Instead of integrating the various disciplines more or less simultaneously into the therapy plan, patients undergoing rehabilitation alternate between the different disciplines in phases of high and low-intensity exercise. In this way, patients undergo highly intensive, goal-directed therapeutic activities for a limited period of time, followed by a regeneration phase. The intervals are then evaluated and follow-up offers are developed.
For the intensive phases, the P.A.N. Center is developing a modular therapy programme with various modules that combine exercises, for example.
• Overall targets across all modules
• Arm initiation/expansion
• Mobility inside/outside
• Communication: aphasia
• Neglect
• Basal ADLs
The intensive phases are a modern therapeutic approach. Instead of integrating the various disciplines more or less simultaneously into the therapy plan, patients undergoing rehabilitation alternate between the different disciplines in phases of high and low-intensity exercise. In this way, patients undergo highly intensive, goal-directed therapeutic activities for a limited period of time, followed by a regeneration phase. The intervals are then evaluated and follow-up offers are developed.
For the intensive phases, the P.A.N. Center is developing a modular therapy programme with various modules that combine exercises, for example.
• Overall targets across all modules
• Arm initiation/expansion
• Mobility inside/outside
• Communication: aphasia
• Neglect
• Basal ADLs
Targets
The appropriate modules are selected based on the agreed targets, which are continuously updated together with the patients during the rehabilitation process. Reflecting on the results is also an important part of the discussions. This is because if the evaluation of a module shows that little progress can be made here, work is continued with a module that has a better chance of success, thus creating greater benefits for those affected.
One possible goal could be, for example, that a patient wants to relearn how to unscrew a tube of toothpaste independently with both hands. A therapy plan is then drawn up with the primary aim of initiating arm function. For four to five weeks, this module therefore mainly involves working with different components, such as mirror therapy, the motor arm studio, positioning or MindMotion Go.
If the interval in the module is successful, the successes can then be transferred to other everyday life skills, and new goals can be formulated. If there is no immediate success, compensation options can be identified.
The appropriate modules are selected based on the agreed targets, which are continuously updated together with the patients during the rehabilitation process. Reflecting on the results is also an important part of the discussions. This is because if the evaluation of a module shows that little progress can be made here, work is continued with a module that has a better chance of success, thus creating greater benefits for those affected.
One possible goal could be, for example, that a patient wants to relearn how to unscrew a tube of toothpaste independently with both hands. A therapy plan is then drawn up with the primary aim of initiating arm function. For four to five weeks, this module therefore mainly involves working with different components, such as mirror therapy, the motor arm studio, positioning or MindMotion Go.
If the interval in the module is successful, the successes can then be transferred to other everyday life skills, and new goals can be formulated. If there is no immediate success, compensation options can be identified.
Rehabilitation patients before a training session with the THERA-Trainer tigo, visible on the left and right in the picture
Digital aids in everyday therapy like MindMotion Go
Digital tools and methods also play a special role in the project, as many of them are designed so that patients can continue to work with them independently. This is also the case with the MindMotion Go (MMGo) software.
MMGo provides people undergoing rehabilitation with a gamified, structured and independent self-training programme. This is preceded by a detailed briefing by the therapists. Only then can the patients use the MMGo, either together with the therapy assistants or entirely independently. The advantage of self-training is that it can significantly increase the potential therapy times, leading to improved rehabilitation results.
Digital tools and methods also play a special role in the project, as many of them are designed so that patients can continue to work with them independently. This is also the case with the MindMotion Go (MMGo) software.
MMGo provides people undergoing rehabilitation with a gamified, structured and independent self-training programme. This is preceded by a detailed briefing by the therapists. Only then can the patients use the MMGo, either together with the therapy assistants or entirely independently. The advantage of self-training is that it can significantly increase the potential therapy times, leading to improved rehabilitation results.
Learning to live again: About the P.A.N. Centre
The P.A.N. Centre for Post-Acute Neuro-rehabilitation in Berlin-Frohnau has been supporting people who have suffered severe brain damage as a result of accidents or strokes since 2015. Specifically, individuals aged 18 to 60 who might otherwise be placed in care homes due to insufficient rehabilitation options, despite having potential for recovery, are assisted on their journey towards regaining as much independence as possible in their lives. The P.A.N. Centre thus fills a gap in neurological rehabilitation in Germany (Phase E). A total of 66 places are available. The average length of stay for patients is around 18 months.
The P.A.N. Centre particularly focuses on promoting mobility, communication, independence and social integration. Neurologists, neuro-psychologists, neuro-educators, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists work together on an interdisciplinary basis. Special emphasis is placed on the neuro-pedagogical support of the patients in the residential groups. Here, individuals undergoing rehabilitation find a temporary home where they can develop their rehabilitation potential in a safe place and interact with each other, while maintaining their personal privacy.
The P.A.N. Centre for Post-Acute Neuro-rehabilitation in Berlin-Frohnau has been supporting people who have suffered severe brain damage as a result of accidents or strokes since 2015. Specifically, individuals aged 18 to 60 who might otherwise be placed in care homes due to insufficient rehabilitation options, despite having potential for recovery, are assisted on their journey towards regaining as much independence as possible in their lives. The P.A.N. Centre thus fills a gap in neurological rehabilitation in Germany (Phase E). A total of 66 places are available. The average length of stay for patients is around 18 months.
The P.A.N. Centre particularly focuses on promoting mobility, communication, independence and social integration. Neurologists, neuro-psychologists, neuro-educators, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists work together on an interdisciplinary basis. Special emphasis is placed on the neuro-pedagogical support of the patients in the residential groups. Here, individuals undergoing rehabilitation find a temporary home where they can develop their rehabilitation potential in a safe place and interact with each other, while maintaining their personal privacy.
A therapist explains to a patient how to use MindMotion GO. She can then carry out the discussed therapy exercises independently on the terminal at any time and as often as she likes.
Ambulante Rehabilitation
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Stationäre Rehabilitation
Therapy & Practice
THERAPY 2024-I
THERAPY Magazine
Nico Stockheim
Head of Public Relations, Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation
Nico Stockheim is the Head of Public Relations at the Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation in Berlin. In this role, he is jointly responsible with Ursula Rebenstorf for the foundation's central press and public relations activities.
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