The Blog

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy? Animal-assisted therapy is an innovative therapy that uses animals as a motivating factor to improve treatment. This form of therapy is implemented with other existing types of neurorehabilitation.     There are two approaches of animal-assisted therapy: Direct Approach: The animal is actively involved in the rehabilitation  sessions. Indirect Approach: The animal is not actively involved in … Read More

Many of the treatments used to treat traumatic brain injuries attempt to resolve the symptoms experienced but do not provide means to heal or repair the injury. For instance, stimulants are used to improve alertness, attention, and cognitive processing; cognitive rehabilitation is implemented to help with concentration problems, executive dysfunction, and memory deficits; behavioural therapies help with aggression, social comprehension, … Read More

What is Neuroplasticity? To understand neuroplasticity, we must understand how neurons work. Neurons are fundamental cells within the nervous system and brain that are responsible for:    receiving signals from the external world transmitting or relaying signals to other neurons or sending commands to the muscles.    These signals are transmitted through structures called synapses and travel through neural pathways. … Read More

Mental fatigue is a common post-concussion symptom that is multifaceted and post-concussion survivors will often experience varying degrees of fatigue. Among this, the severity of mental fatigue among post-concussion survivors  is related to other factors such as mental health, the level of social support available, and the presence of other medical conditions. The Relationship Between Mental Fatigue and Concussions According … Read More

A concussion is often followed by psychological disturbances such as mood fluctuation which often result in personality changes. Some of these changes include increased irritability, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, social disinhibition, and impaired perception of emotional stimuli. Such fluctuations are often reported based on the patient’s own evaluation of these changes as well as other people’s judgement, such as relatives and … Read More

Research has shown that nutritional status may change after sustaining a concussion. Among this, there is significant evidence demonstrating that nutrient deficiencies may prolong concussion recovery or intensify symptoms. In 2004, Health Canada conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate nutrient intakes for Canadians. Results revealed that many adults have inadequate intakes of various vitamins and minerals. Accordingly, evidence regarding dietary … Read More

Fast-intervening and novel therapies are continually sought out to aid with concussion recovery. One such therapy is EMDR: eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy which is a psychotherapy first developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987.   EMDR is traditionally used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as it often includes experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or disturbing event which this … Read More

Concussion recovery is immensely tough. Among this, researchers have identified several substances that may be detrimental during concussion recovery. Accordingly, there is increasing evidence that suggests post-concussion alcohol use can impair brain recovery. So, how does this happen? Alcohol as a Neurotoxin Alcohol is a neurotoxin. In other words, alcohol is a chemical substance that can alter the function or … Read More

Defining Post-Concussion Irritability:   Post-concussion irritability can be thought of as persistent difficulty controlling emotions or experiencing strong mood swings. The feeling has been described as “an emotional roller coaster ride” where an individual’s emotions shift swiftly from happy to sad and then angry. These emotions change quickly and can be brief.   Why Does Irritability Occur?   Post-concussion irritability … Read More

Recovery from a concussion is a collaborative process involving the patient, family, healthcare providers, and friends. When the individual who sustains a concussion happens to be a child, parental support becomes pivotal in promoting and supporting recovery. Forms of social support parents can provide include practical, emotional, and informational resources.   Here are some ways parents can mitigate the challenges … Read More