Neurorehabilitation

The Boston University Department of Neurology is dedicated to the long term management of patients with neurological disorders. Our commitment does not end at diagnosis and acute management. Neurologic problems often require rehabilitation to ensure optimal return of function. Neurorehabilitation is the process of restoration of function for persons with disorders of the nervous system. This process involves multiple disciplines and the application of strategies aimed at reducing impairments, disabilities and handicaps, and ultimately enhancing quality of life for persons with neurological disorders. Rehabilitation involves restoration of functioning or facilitation of compensatory or adaptive functioning. Rehabilitative techniques promote restoration of function through the interaction of learning and natural recovery processes, including regeneration and plasticity. The practice of rehabilitation involves a team process, highly dependent on the interaction of multiple treatment agents and factors. The patient is the ultimate target of treatment, but at the same time serves as a member of the team along with his or her family and other members of their social network.

The Boston University Rehabilitation Neurology Program is centered at the HealthSouth Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital (HBRH). HBRH is freestanding rehabilitation hospital with 167 beds and a large outpatient facility, including over 50 satellites in New England. Our rehabilitation neurologists have over 20 years experience in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative management of patients with a variety of neurologic disorders including:

Traumatic Brain Injury

Stroke

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid

Hemorrhage

Anoxic Brain Injury

Encephalitis

Parkinson’s disease

Brain tumors

Spinal Cord Injury

Guillaine-Barre Syndrome

Peripheral Nerve Injuries.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Balance and Gait Disorders

Multiple Sclerosis

Movement Disorders

We care for both inpatients and outpatients on a short term or long term basis. The rehabilitation group had particular training and expertise in management and rehabilitation of cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (behavioral neurology) related to neurological disorders. Services available at HealthSouth Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital are as follows:

Integrated Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
Tone Management / Botox and Neurolytic blocks
Neuropsychology Evaluation Behavior management Cognitive Rehabilitation
Neurorehabilitation Day treatment and community reentry programming
Bracing Equipment needs
Driving Assessment
Medication Management

Education programs:

Fellowship training in neurorehabilitation (12 fellows trained since 1987);
Neurorehabilitation electives for residents and medical students;
Inservices for rehabilitation program staff.

Research:

Faculty are involved in a number of research projects including outcomes research in traumatic brain injury; recovery and treatment trials of patients with prolonged unconsciousness; treatment trials of agents to promote recovery after stroke and TBI (citicholine); memory disorders (donepezil for TBI); recovery after anoxic brain injury; frontal lobe dysfunction

Referrals:

Patients are frequently referred from acute care hospitals, or by their physicians. Self referrals are accepted. For admission for inpatient rehabilitation:

from an acute care hospital: Contact the Admissions Department at HBRH at 781-8848-5353 X2138
for outpatient evaluation or admission: 781-848-5363 X 2265 or 781-331-9944

Faculty:

Douglas I. Katz, M.D.
Brigid Dwyer, M.D.