Surviving a stroke is a great matter of luck and inner strength, but what lies after initial recovery can often be even more challenging. Many will find that post-stroke, their memory isn’t what it used to be. This is a common symptom that thankfully can be remedied with a variety of stroke treatment options.
In the following, we will take a quick look at some of the things you need to know about how to improve memory after a stroke.
Why Do We Lose Memory After a Stroke?
When a stroke causes loss in memory function, this usually has to do with something called working memory. This is sort of akin to the temporary hard drive where our brain “saves” information for later.
Working memory relies on certain nervous connections, and in the case of a stroke, these can often sever and break. Exactly what connections tear can make a big difference in your symptoms.
Many do not experience just memory loss, but also signs of depression. In those cases, post stroke depression treatment options exist, and you should consult your GP or physical therapist about them.
Specifically regarding memory loss, the severed mental connections can thankfully be restored through post-stroke treatment and rehabilitation. Read on below to see how!
Stroke Treatment Options for Better Memory in Recovery
While the neural damage caused by a stroke can indeed be severe, our brains are equipped with the fascinating ability to recover from almost any kind of injury.
Researchers call this neuroplasticity – it is how we manage to soak up countless pieces of information and quickly adopt new skills when we are young, and though it fades with age, it never entirely goes away.
In physical therapy, neuroplasticity is often encouraged through something called mass practice. For stroke treatment, this means repeatedly encouraging a certain practice until the brain eventually learns to acquire it permanently and it doesn’t have to be directed consciously anymore.
In other words, getting your memory back after a stroke will probably involve practicing a lot of memory-related exercises. You might be asked to remember the location of certain objects in your surroundings time and time again, or you might have to repeatedly take a note when your PT gives you a certain signal. This helps your brain re-establish those neural pathways and eventually re-generate your memory functions.
Examples of Memory-Building Strategies for Post-Stroke Treatment
If you are working on restoring your memory together with a physical therapist (PT) or a speech-language-pathologist (SLP), you might come across any of the following treatments and exercises that can be safely done at home.
● Simon Says is not just a classic among board games, but it’s also proven to be immensely effective in promoting recovery in post-stroke patients. The game involves visual short-term memory, where sequences of flashing colors have to be repeated in quick succession.
● Cognitive Therapy (CT) uses a variety of clinical exercises, usually based on interactive conversation, listening, and speaking. Thanks to modern technology, many CT exercises can nowadays be performed from home on a device such as a smartphone. An intelligent app can track your progress and suggest additions or alterations to your daily regimen.
● Physical Rehabilitation has been shown to work wonders, not just in post-stroke depression treatment, but also for memory loss. Strengthening your body and engaging in healthy exercise doesn’t just benefit your health in a ton of ways, but it also encourages neuroplasticity and helps the brain rewire itself.
