The brain that trains itself

Yu-Lung ChanHarriet Downing

Paige Stimpson

Public interest• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsqX0QKiRI

Issues

• Evidence (measurement, participants, longevity, generalisation, etc.)

• Definitions– Brain training aims to maximise normal cognitive

function in the healthy population (e.g. “worried well”)

– Cognitive rehabilitation aims to remediate cognitive impairment/deficits (e.g. following stroke/MVA)

Do no harm

• There is a need• At present, there is no gold standard evidence• Flexibility in considering a response

Response

• Similar issues identified by within division MDT and cross-divisional staff of ACT Health

• Working group established

Goals of working group

• Provide cognitive rehabilitation to eligible clients

• Collaborate to develop an ACT Health-wide approach (consistent, cross-divisional and multi-disciplinary)

• (Suggest cognitive training strategies in management programs, where possible)

Issues to date

• Gold standard• Need for research and evaluation • Generic research methodology and implementation

issues• Issues specific to cognitive rehabilitation– Is research led by public or commercial interest?– Cognitive domains (e.g. memory, attention, etc.)– Client needs (e.g. diagnosis, inpatient/outpatient, age,

etc.)– Associated issues (e.g. fatigue, motivation, etc.)

Plan of action

Communicating with clients and carers

Current advice

• Physical activity • Mental stimulation• Social engagement• Eat a healthy balanced diet • Avoid excessive alcohol and avoid smoking • See the GP for regular check-ups and to manage

blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and weight

• And...

• The most beneficial activities for cognitive health may be those that combine physical, mental and social engagement

• Valenzuela (2009) suggests things like sailing, learning a new language and dancing

• If you don’t like Sudoku, don’t punish yourself by doing them, try an alternative!

Valenzuela, M. J. (2009). Maintain your brain: What you can do to improve your brain’s health and avoid dementia. Harper Collins, Australia

Questions?