Cognitive stimulation and neuropsychological stimulation
Cognitive stimulation
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a structured non-pharmacological treatment aimed at people suffering from primary dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s dementia) or secondary dementia (such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis). The goal of CST is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia, trying to involve patients in stimulating activities and reducing moments of inactivity, isolation and apathy. Depending on the type of patient, the severity of the pathology and the reported problems, it is possible to plan an individual or group program which, in addition to stimulating cognitive functions (memory, attention, language, etc), favours socialization and interpersonal relationships.
The activity can be performed individually or in a small group (3-5 people), for a total of 15 2-hour treatment sessions, 3 times a week.
Neuropsychological stimulation
Neuropsychological rehabilitation is the sector of neuroscience that helps patients suffering from acquired focal or diffuse brain injuries that determine the impairment of one or more cognitive and / or behavioral functions. By treating people affected by brain injuries, rehabilitation generally consists of compensatory learning strategies, therefore it is a non-pharmacological treatment. Rehabilitation strategies can be based on voluntary learning, conditioning or use of residual skills.
Neuropsychological rehabilitation is aimed at individuals of any age who have suffered a brain injury. The best results can be achieved once patients exit the acute phase, that is, be in a chronic phase in which the residual difficulties are stable. There are different types of exercises that are offered to the patient: the treatment is customized for each patient and it varies according to the reported problems therefore the number and length of each session might vary. Generally, the sessions are individual and exercises are provided to be performed at home.
What is the difference between the two?
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a form of treatment strategically oriented to the overall well-being, in order to increase involvement in tasks aimed at reactivating residual skills and slowing down the functional loss of cognitive skills. It is mainly aimed at elderly individuals affected by certain degenerative diseases, i.e. Alzheimer’s dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.
Neuropsychological rehabilitation, on the other hand, is a treatment aimed at patients of any age who have suffered a brain injury and who complain of disorders that prevent them from returning to daily activities and from family, work and social reintegration.
Who could benefit from this service?
Any individual can access these treatments as there are no side effects. The specialist studies the individual case through the neuropsychological assessment (see the “Neuropsychological assessment” section) and recommends the patient the most suitable path, considering the individual critical elements and problems. Prior to the beginning of the treatment, a neuropsychological assessment must be performed.
Why choose MediClinic?
At MediClinic, patients can find highly trained and prepared personnel, who use the most modern equipment to plan specific activities that promote learning and that can be extended to daily life.
Any individual can access these treatments as there are no side effects The task of the specialist is to study the individual case through the neuropsychological assessment (see the “Neuropsychological assessment” section) and to propose the most suitable path to the patient, considering the individual critical elements and problems. Prior to the beginning of the treatment, a neuropsychological assessment must be performed.
