SLI’s Neuro Wellness Program (NWP) provides physical, cognitive and social fitness classes and recreational activities for acquired brain injury, helping improve health and functional abilities, leading to a higher quality of life.
Research h Based P Programs A majority of the Neuro Wellness Program classes have been proven beneficial for acquired brain injury through research conducted by SLI’s Research Council, or other brain injury rehabilitation research entities. SLI’s Research Council: Ann Charrette, DPT, MS, PCS, MCS Timothy Kelliher, MD Peter J. Noonan, President MCPHS University Director Stroke Program Supportive Living, Inc. Beverly / Addison Gilbert Hospital Sean Clark, PhD Therese O’Neil-Pirozzi, ScD, CCC-SLP Chair Kinesiology. Gordon College Barb Kresge, MS,OTR/L,CBIS Northeastern University Krempels Center Michelle Demore-Taber, ScD, L/CBIS Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Brain Injury Service, Advocates Laura Lorenz, PhD, MEd Richard Sanders, MS, CCC-SLP Research Director, SLI Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Mel Glenn, MD Nicole Godaire, Executive Director Chief, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Barbara Webster Brain Injury Association of MA Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Support Group Liaison BIA MA
Neuro Wellness Program Classes • Adaptive Exercise • Chair Yoga • Boxing for Balance & Core • Expressive Arts • Music classes • Drumming classes • Horticulture Therapy • Chess Club • Conversation and Communication
What is SLI Adaptive Exercise? The Adaptive Exercise class provides a person centered exercise routine created by participants, and SLI instructors, to meet the individuals specific needs. The classes have from 3 to 6 people and provide: • A fully accessible gym • Modified exercise equipment • Safety features such as harnesses and braces to stabilize and support participants • Specialized experienced trainers • Low fees (scholarships available) • One-on-one assistance
One One-on on one e Assistance e • College interns provide crucial one- on-one support and motivation to all participants in the Adaptive Exercise Program • Internships provide students interested in medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and similar programs with the opportunity to obtain meaningful experience • Interns help create fun, engaging environment
Adapti tive E Exercise - Benefi fits ts • Improve balance, cardio, coordination, flexibility, strength • Control cholesterol, blood pressure, weight • Improve sleep • Decrease reliance on assistive devices, and hands on assistance • Increase independence • Build Confidence • Fight depression
Don • Regular, committed involvement in the exercise program has helped him move from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane – and he keeps improving. “After his brain injury, my brother began this program. He has improved in so many ways – walking, dressing, even socializing. He is much more confident now!”
Chair Y r Yoga • Improved Breathing • Decreased pain in shoulders and back • Feeling relaxed after each session • Improved seated posture • preventing skin breakdowns • Adapted yoga may offer additional benefits beyond those offered by traditional exercise for patients who have suffered a brain injury. This additional benefit is thought to be due to the integration of mind, body and spirit, which is an inherent part of yoga practice.
Boxi xing for r Balance, Core and More…. • Functional movement training exercises (40 minutes) used by boxers are very effective for helping individuals with brain injury address many issues: balance, tremor, shuffle, rigidity, weak side, etc. • 20 minutes of “hitting the bag,” following the various sequence of jab – cross - hook – and uppercut are a complete cognitive challenge
Exp xpressive A Art rts • “…arts therapies also contribute significantly to the humanization and comfort of modern health care institutions by relieving stress, anxiety, and pain of patients and caregivers.” (Pratt 2004) • Expressive arts classes allow participants to engage in meaningful, fulfilling and dynamic self- expression OT students from Boston University run an expressive arts group • Participation encourages the use of cognitive and fine motor skills applicable to everyday tasks • The program further encourages positive social interactions with other participants and the program staff
Donna na • Suffered a Traumatic brain injury at age 23 • Participates in adaptive exercise, art and drumming “My daughter’s involvement in the program has been incredible! From the exercise classes, to art and music – she is a new person! Thank you.”
Mu Music P Programs ms • “Specific treatments may include the use of rhythmic stimulation to aid movement and walking, singing to address speaking and voice quality, listening to music to reduce pain and the use of music improvisations to address emotional needs and enhance a sense of wellbeing.” (Magee et al. 2010) • Music programs, facilitated by Amplifi, a program of the Real School of Music, get survivors involved in classes that allow them to enjoy and learn about music • Group projects may include songwriting, creating a music video, group singing, and more • Encourages participants to engage socially and work on cognitive skills such a short-term and long-term memory retrieval, executive functioning and more Participants perform an original song
Drumming C Classes • Drumming classes may support a group of 5-8 survivors • Learning new rhythms and playing them together promotes physical activity and provides a cognitive task • Participants are exposed to music and rhythms of different cultures • Encourages social engagement with one another and with the instructor(s) An intern supports a drumming participant
Horticulture • “Studies have reported the benefits of horticultural therapy and garden settings in reduction of pain, improvement in attention, lessening of stress, modulation of agitation, and reduction of falls” (Detweiler, et al. 2012) • Numerous physical and cognitive benefits • Hand-eye coordination • Fine motor skills • Social interaction • Planning ahead • Participants learn about nutrition and health as well as practical gardening techniques
Chess a and G Games Club • “Health education programs with a board game component are useful for both preventive and therapeutic intervention for cognitive-behavioral functioning, psychological conditions, and life-style diseases” (Nakao 2019) • Social Benefits • Friendly competition • Working and conversing with others • Cognitive benefits • Strategizing, planning • Logical and creative thinking • Fine motor skills
Convers rsation Club • Practice expressing thoughts in a social situation • Work on speaking in a coherent and audible manner • Interacting with others • Keeping up with current events, sports, movies, and more • Especially beneficially for those living with aphasia
Neu euro W Wel elln lnes ess s Class Lo Locati tions for specific addresses visit www.supportivelivinginc.org • Adaptive Exercise - Lexington, Wenham, Marblehead • Chair Yoga - North Reading • Boxing for Balance & Core - Lexington • Expressive Arts - Lexington, Rockport, Woburn • Music classes - Lexington • Drumming classes – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn • Horticulture Therapy – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn, North Reading • Chess Club – Lexington, Rockport • Conversation and Communication - Lexington
Fitness. Function. Fun Social. Social. Social
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