As a result, patients may experience significant residual impairments, such as:
- Cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction
- Cognitive problems
- Speech and communication problems
- Swallowing and nutrition disorders
- Balance and coordination issues
- Motor problems affecting upper limbs functionality and walking
- Disturbances in muscle tone with signs of spasticity or dystonia
- Dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System
- Neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder and intestines
- Neuropathic pain
The main categories of neurological diseases addressed through rehabilitation include:
- Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke)
- Traumatic Brain Injury with Residual Impairments
- Brain Surgery with Residual Impairments
- Multiple Sclerosis with Brain or Spinal Cord Involvement
- Spinal Cord Injury (Tetraplegia-Paraplegia)
- Spinal Cord Injury of Pathological Origin
- Polyneuropathy from ICU (Intensive Care Unit) or Critical Illness, and Post-ICU Syndrome
- Myopathy of Various Causes
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Peripheral Nervous System Injury (e.g., Polyneuropathies, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, etc.)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Rare Neurological Diseases (e.g., Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple System Atrophy, etc.)
- Cerebral Palsy
Damage to the structure of the brain, spinal cord, or the peripheral nervous system, whether pathological or traumatic, leads to a limitation in the individual’s functionality. This often results in difficulties performing daily activities, becoming independent, and integrating into the social environment.
The goal of rehabilitation is to intervene holistically, specifically addressing the following components:
- Prevention of complications (e.g., contractures, thrombophlebitis, muscle atrophies, pressure ulcers, etc.)
- Management of coexisting disorders (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular-respiratory issues, etc.)
- Facilitative intervention in the process of guided neurological recovery through the mechanisms of neuroplasticity
- Intervention in the new pathophysiology of dysfunctional body systems
Rehabilitation targets include:
- Stabilization of the individual in a new “physiology”
- Development of existing capabilities of the body
- Substitution of lost functions through behavior modification or the use of modified assistive devices, modern technology, and environmental adjustments
- Re-education in activities of daily living
- Functional mental and physical autonomy
- Social and professional reintegration
