Article: Understanding the Mechanisms of Recovery and/or Compensation following Injury.

Citation:

Hylin MJ, Kerr AL, Holden R. Understanding the Mechanisms of Recovery and/or Compensation following Injury. Neural Plast. 2017;2017:7125057. doi:10.1155/2017/7125057

Summary of this article

This article explores the complex question around whether behavioural improvements observed after neurological injury are due to recovery or the development of compensatory mechanisms. The concept of “Cognitive Reserve” is defined and its impact on the presentation of the same injury in different individuals discussed. Variables such as experience and intensity of rehabilitation are explored with respect to their influence on recovery of function and can ultimately be used to determine how rehabilitation should be utilized in these patients.

Objectives:

The reader will be able to:

1. Discuss the differences between recovery and compensation on a neurological level as debated in the research.
2. Define cognitive reserve and discuss its effect on threshold for neurological injury.
3. Discuss the importance of timing of initiation of rehabilitation relative to neurological recovery.
4. Discuss considerations for timing and intensity of rehabilitation programmes relative to neurological recovery post injury.