Neuropsychology
Many of our patients are suddenly confronted with the diagnosis and consequences of a neurological disorder of the central nervous system without any prior warning or preparation. Initially, the main focus is on the physical symptoms, maybe even the struggle for survival. It is only after the acute hospital treatment that cognitive and emotional problems come to the surface. The clarification and treatment of these problems is the task of our clinical neuropsychologists.
Neuropsychological clarification of changes to cognitive functions
- Visual perception – visual field, neglect, contrast vision, colour vision
- Spatial/constructional abilities
- Attentive abilities – selective attention, divided attention, sustained attention
- Memory capacity – anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, dementia
- Executive functions – ability to make plans and solve problems
It is very rare for only some functions to be affected; more commonly, our patients suffer from a range of functional impairments of varying degrees. For that reason, our clinical neuropsychologists develop an individual neuropsychological rehabilitation programme for each patient which can consist of the following modules:
- Visual saccade, restitution or exploration training in cases of visual field impairment
- Optokinetic stimulation in cases of visual neglect
- Compensation training for double vision
- Computer aided training of perception, attention and memory
- Memory strategy groups, including an introduction to the compensatory use of aids for memory deficits of varying severity.
- "Mental fitness in old age" – a memory training group for patients suffering from various dementia disorders
- Executive training group for patients with impaired abilities to plan or implement actions
- Neurofeedback
The objective for many patients is the reintegration into working life or the ability to lead an independent life free from the need of constant care. We assess the options for this with the aid of a cognitive capacity test to determine mental stamina.
Many neurological disorders result in a more or less significant change to previous working and living arrangements. In order to assist our patients in this process of adaptation, we offer a range of psychotherapeutic support measures:
- Behavioural therapy in individual or group sessions to help cope with the illness and other problems
- Counselling for family members in the form of individual or group sessions
- Relaxation groups: autogenous training and progressive muscle relaxation
- Health-promoting measures: talks on coping with stress
- Psychotherapeutic and psychophysiological pain management
- Biofeedback depending on indication
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