As with all of the effects of a stroke, cognitive changes are associated with the particular part of brain that was affected by the stroke. For example, the hippocampus governs memory, so damage to that area will impact your long and/or short-term recall.
Stroke survivors may experience deficits or changes in:
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- Attention
- Memory
- Executive functioning (planning, performing more complex tasks)
- Information processing
- Personality
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Cognitive changes caused by a stroke may affect only one of these domains or multiple ones in combination. The effects can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on the extent of damage to the brain.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Treatment
Fortunately, specialized cognitive rehabilitation therapies can help patients to restore some of their cognitive functioning. Such therapy is typically provided by a neuropsychologist or speech therapist, although some other specialists may also be trained in this area of expertise.
Cognitive rehabilitation focuses on maximizing the abilities that the patient retains post-stroke to overcome deficits This discipline is based on the concept of neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ongoing ability to form new neural networks.
Through cognitive rehabilitation, stroke survivors may either learn compensatory strategies and tools (like planners, timers and photos) or practice specialized exercises that enhance attention or other brain functions.
Strategies to Manage Cognitive Changes
For some stroke survivors, cognitive rehabilitation treatment may not restore the desired level of functioning. In these cases, it can be valuable to consider symptom management strategies to reduce the effects of the cognitive changes on the patient’s quality of life.
Such strategies may include:
- Foregoing multi-tasking: The idea that you can manage multiple tasks at once is a myth for all of us, but particularly difficult for stroke survivors to pull off. Focus on one thing at a time.
- Giving yourself more time: Cognitive changes can increase the amount of time necessary for you to complete more tasks. If you can build this extra time into your schedule, you’ll ultimately reduce your stress.
- Managing your expectations: Celebrate your capabilities rather than focus on your limitations.
Patients who are troubled by cognitive changes should consult with their physicians to determine what type of treatment could be most beneficial to them.