What is neurorehabilitation?

Neurorehabilitation addresses sensory, motor, cognitive and behavioral processing which impact functional performance in persons with central nervous system disorders.  This includes patients with vestibular dysfunction and balance disorders, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, concussion, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

In recent years, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has treated approximately 600 patients with complex neurological needs on an annual basis.  In the year ending June 30, 2011, more than 800 patients were treated and our current year projections indicate we will treat more than 900 patients this year.

At Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, 85% of patients seeking comprehensive outpatient services present with one of four conditions:

Vestibular Disorders

35% of adults over age 40 and 80% of adults over age 65 have experienced dizziness or vestibular dysfunction.Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital treats patients whose symptoms significantly impact the functions of daily life, such as imbalance, vertigo, nausea, blurred or bouncing vision, coordination, thinking and memory. Ear infection, head injury, and whiplash are the most common cause of vestibular disorders in people under 50 years of age, but aging brings its own set of challenges to the vestibular system. In many cases, the underlying cause of a vestibular disorder can't be determined. From 2008-2011, 32% of outpatients in our neurorehabilitation outpatient program presented with vestibular disorders.

Stroke 

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.  Most of us know the major risk factors of stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can be medically managed.  But the primary risk factor of stroke is age which cannot be controlled.  Stroke risk doubles with each decade past age 55. Symptoms which Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital can help with include anything from partial physical or cognitive impairment, to a complete inability to walk, talk or care for oneself.  From 2008-2011, 23% of outpatients in our neurorehabilitation outpatient program received rehabilitation services for deficits caused by stroke.

Brain Injury

Our comprehensive outpatient program recognizes that much of a patient's recovery occurs after discharge from inpatient hospitalization. Treatment focuses on daily living skills, mobility and cognitive abilities. Vocational rehabilitation is an important component of the program for many patients. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs as a result of external forces such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, and assaults.  Non-Traumatic Brain Injury occurs as a result of internal forces such as lack of oxygen, infection, brain tumors, and exposure to toxic substances. From 2008-2011, 19% of outpatients in our neurorehabilitation outpatient program were recovering from a brain injury.

Concussion 

Growing awareness of the very real dangers of this mild traumatic brain injury has helped individuals realize the importance of seeking rehabilitative care when symptoms of memory loss, confusion, depression, irritability and fatigue linger.  Representing only 11% of all outpatients in the past four years, patients with concussion represent the fastest growing patient population of the hospital.  Since 2008, the number of patients treated for concussion at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has grown more than tenfold. The age range of patients treated in the outpatient neurorehabilitation programs at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital over the past five years has ranged from 9 to 98 years of age.  The most significant growth has been in patients under the age of 35, with patients of the youngest ages being the fastest growing group. This is not surprising since a majority of patients being treated for concussion are high school and college-aged athletes.

Neurorehabilitation is a team process that involves the patient, their family and the treatment team which may include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, physician, case manager, neuropsychologist, psychologist and neuro-opthamologist.Our clinicians have extensive experience in working with neurologically impaired clients, utilize evidence-based treatment approaches, and have access to specialty equipment.

Join us in our life-enhancing work by investing in the state-of-the-art Comprehensive Outpatient Neurorehabilitation Center.