Exercise Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exercise Rehab
The UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing prolonged post-concussion symptoms. These individuals have typically experienced a major disruption in their lives and have been unable to participate in activities they enjoy, such as sports, social events, school, or work. Often times, there is a belief that the symptoms may be permanent and that they will have to adjust to a new life with a brain injury. The combination of their ongoing symptoms, and the stress and disruption they create often lead to anxiety, frustration, avoidance, sadness, depression, and even hopelessness. But treatment can help!
In order to facilitate healthy brain functioning, BrainSPORT has developed two types of psychological-based treatments aimed at assisting patients in coping with, and overcoming, the symptoms they experience. The goal is to help patients regain control of their recovery by taking an active, rather than passive, approach and get bake to their normal lives! Below is a list of the treatments offered:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based form of structured psychotherapy that is designed to challenge and restructure unwanted or unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to both emotional and physical feelings of stress. The sports neuropsychologists at BrainSPORT provide patients with emotional support as well as education about their symptoms. Treatment is designed to help patients retrain their brain to interpret symptoms in a more manageable way as well as develop coping skills to assist them as they get back into their normal routines. Patients are encouraged to re-engage in activities they have been avoiding with support from their treating clinician. Treatment is typically 6-7 weeks and is currently offered in-person and via telehealth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exercise
This treatment combines traditional CBT with supervised exercise. The sports neuropsychologist provides CBT to address pain, symptom exacerbation, and symptom cause while the patient exercises on a stationary bike. The exercise regime is personalized to the patient and is set up to gradually re-introduce them to physical exertion while not pushing them too hard. The goal is to help the patient work through their symptoms while increasing their physical fitness. Treatment is typically 6-7 weeks and is currently offered in-person and via telehealth (note: exercise regimen may be modified for telehealth patients who do not have access to exercise equipment such as a stationary bike)