Brain Gym and the Older Adult
Brain Gym and the Older Adult
By Shoshana Shamberg OTR/L, MS, FAOTA
(photograph Shoshana Shamberg)
and Reva Silber, Gerontology Student Intern with Abilities OT Services, Inc and Shoshana Shamberg
According to the Administration on Aging (AoA), in 2030 there will be 71.5 million Americans aged 65 or older. That’s 1 in 5 Americans, more than double that of 2000. This staggering number will equal approximately one fifth of the United States population (Hamilton, 2011). The segment of aging baby boomers is investing their time and money into brain fitness programs. From the occasional senior moment, to more serious memory issues, seniors often try programs that claim to prevent memory loss and Alzheimer’s Disease. Although some may mock their intentions, research supports the idea of brain fitness.
Many studies have confirmed the brain’s ability to regenerate new brain cells. Exercises that stimulate the brain generates new neurons and strengthens neural pathways. This leads to improved brain performance and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s symptoms. “Studies suggest that people who exercise their mental muscles throughout their lives have a 35–40% less risk of manifesting Alzheimer’s (Fernandez, 2008). This science has led to an explosion of brain fitness programs including Brain Gym.
Brain Gym describes 26 specific movements, processes and programs. It is a registered trademark of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation (Brain Gym® International) in Ventura, California. These movements recall natural movements of the body learning to coordinate within the first few years of life. Movements include cross crawling, ‘lazy 8’s and ‘brain buttons’. Improvements have been seen in many areas including physical coordination, memory, focus and concentration and others (Brain Gym, 2011).
Research at the Clinics for Neurology and for Medical Rehabilitation and Geriatrics at Henriettenstiftung, Germany was conducted to study the effects of Brain Gym on individuals with Alzheimer’s. Brain Gym movements were used in training sessions in order to “enhance brain function and increase body awareness.” 16 out of 24 test subjects displayed improved performance after completing the Brain Gym exercises. The points achieved after the second test run after using Brain Gym exercises were 23% higher than after the first test run. Out of five tasks, the highest growth was 79% with repeated word lists in task 5. Next was task 3, shopping, with growth at 21%, followed by 18% for conversion of numbers in task 2. Lastly, task 1, word lists, showed an increase of 13%. These results may suggest that “spontaneous remembering and naming of everday things” improves following Brain Gym exercises.
Brain Gym can improve cognitive functioning thereby preventing and/or managing confusion, lack of motivation, lethargy, low self esteem and depression. The greatest benefit is that increased cognitive function enables older adult to remain independent and more in control of their life (Diversicare, 2011).
Mari Miyoshi is an occupational therapist and Brain Gym instructor. She says,
“A lot of times as people get older, they complain of short-term memory loss, being more foggy, not being able to remember things as well, so names and faces... And they attribute this to age, but actually, in fact, it's just because as we get older we move less.” Miyoshi s ays that although all exercise improve mental health, some exercises might be more effective. “Certain movements, such as cross-lateral movements, where you cross the middle of your body or you using the two sides of your body at the same time, you are using your hands, you are using your feet in a balanced way...When you use them in a balanced way the whole brain is stimulated, as opposed to doing one-sided movements (NY1, 2911).”
Brain Gym is taught all over the country and is being incorporated into a variety of programs. The BrainBody Fitness program of The North Shore Neighborhood House, (NSNH), of North Vancouver British Columbia incorporate Brain Gym movements. Other components of the program are brain games to enhance memory and learning as well as activities for hearing, vision, balance, posture and coordination. The NSNH program was developed for older seniors and is coordinated by trained senior volunteers and program leaders and license Brain Gym instructor.
Diversicare implemented Brain Gym and More, a movement-based, multi-sensory brain-stimulation program for seniors. It’s used in all 34 Diversicare residences and long-term care homes across Canada. Paul Hyman, a Brain Gym instructor, created this program to include Brain Gym as well as other modalities such as recreation therapy, stress management, Trager, Touch for Health, Bal-A-Vis-X and more. Activities include dropping and catching a rubber ball with the dominant and non-dominant hand or performing exercises with one eye covered. Brain Gym exercises are also used throughout a mental aerobics program in order to improve cognition. (Kotanko and Lang, 2011). Noted benefits include improved mental functioning, memory and concentration, vision and hearing, co-ordination and mobility as well as improved balance and reduced falls (Diversicare, 2011).
Dr. Daniel Amen, a neuropsychiatrist at the Amen Clinics says “Many of my patients have reported benefits from Brain Gym exercises...Exercises geared toward enhancing cerebellar function and motor coordination help the brain.” It is importatnt to remember that brain health requires a multifaceted approach. Besides for mental exercises, stress management, nutrition and physical exercise all contribute to enhanced health (Sharp Brains, 2011).
In my practice as an occupational therapist, special educator, and as a health and wellness consultant, I have used Brain Gym Movement for all ages from babies and elementary aged children to facilitate development skills and reflex integration for motor, cognitive, sensory, and emotional balance and well being. I have used them for teens and college students to promote alertness, focus, attention, organization and to decrese test anxiety. In adults, the movements can provide a sense of emotion, physical and mental balance and well being, as well as, assist in stress management, pain management, memory and problem solving, hearing, overcoming life long anxieties and fears, injury prevention, and more. Many of the BG movements can be found in traditional activities like Yoga, martial arts, Tai Chi, QiGong, and Vision Therapy. Finding a routine of Brain Gym movement may take some mentoring by a trained Brain Gym Instructor, but one learned and applied appropirately can be done anywhere, anytime and with no additional cost or equipment other then your training. Only 15 minutes a day can provide profound results if used consistently when needed.
Also check out the Brain Gym Fall Prevention Program by Karen Peterson.
indiegogo.com/move-with-balance#team
movewithbalance.org
givingbackmentoring.org
http://youtu.be/OxMIa_VwK7c
Join Abilities OT Services and Irlen Visual Learning Center for our FREE 2 hour introductory class and see how you, your child, relative, friend, or co workers/employees can benefit. To schedule an in-service at your organization, school, workplace, or facility call or email at 410-358-7269 or info@aotss.com. Abilities OT Services and Seminars, Inc. has been providing professional and consumer training programs for over 35 years nationwide (and internationally as well). CEUs for professionals can be provided upon request. Visit our websites for more information : www.aotss.com and www.irlenvlcmd.com
For more information, please visit:
http://braingym.org/brochures/journal/2002%20March.pdf The effect of Brain Gym on the cognitive performance of Alzheimer’s patients.
Additional Resources:
Administration on Aging (2011).
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/index.aspx
Brain Gym
Brain Gym and Alzheimer’s Study
http://www.wholebrainsolutions.com/BG_Research.pdf
Dr. Daniel Amen
http://www.amenclinics.com/newsletter/print/?articleID=59
Diversicare
http://www.dialogueplus.ca/brain-gym-slows-aging/
http://www.heritageriver.ca/braingym.php
http://diversicare.ca/diversicare-brain-gym.shtml
Fernandez, 2008: http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/01/11/it-is-not-only-cars-that-deserve-good-maintenance-brain-care-101/
Hamilton
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-boomer-homes-20110617,0,4748424.story?page=2
Kotanko and Lang
http://www.dialogueplus.ca/brain-gym-slows-aging/
Miyoshi
http://www.ny1.com/content/131944/physical-exercise-best-way-to-nourish-neurons
NSNH
http://www.nsnh.bc.ca/pdfs/2011/NSNH_BrainBody_Fitness_ManualResourceGuide_FINAL_PDF.pdf
Sharp Brains
http://www.sharpbrains.com/resources/2-the-4-pillars-of-brain-maintenance/
About the Expert: Shoshana Shamberg OTR/L, MS, FAOTA
President and Accessibility Consultant. Ms. Shamberg has over 35 years experience as an educator, consultant, therapist and professional trainer. She has presented over 150 international continuing education programs on a variety of topics related to special education, accessible housing and jobsites, and independent living services for children and adults with disabilities and those who are aging in place.
Ms. Shamberg has degrees in both occupational therapy and special education with a specialization in assistive technology and environmental modifications. She is a licensed Brain Gym Instructor and a Certified Irlen Screener/Diagnostician. Her specialities include sensory processing disorders, visual perceptual and neurological conditions, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, chronic migraines/ headaches, light sensitivity, motor coordination dysfunction, and visual stress ranging from moderate to severe.
Ms Shamberg presently teaches the only internet-based training and mentoring program on accessibility consultation for medical and design/build professionals, with an international participation. She is currently the AOTA representative to the American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI 117.1) Accessible Design Standards Building Code Committee, the MD representative to the AOTA IDEA Partnership Advisory Committee , a guest instructor in various universities nationwide, and liason to the the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association (MDOTA) board for third party reimbursement issues.
© 2012 Created by Ronny Wiskin.
