Sense and Mind method: an innovative methodological approach to embodied rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Integrating neurorehabilitation research into clinical practice is essential.
• Embodied cognition offers a promising framework for neurorehabilitation.
• Existing methods may not fully address spatial cognition and executive functions through bodily experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and describe the novel Sense and Mind (SaM) method for neurorehabilitation.
• To target spatial cognition and executive functions using embodied cognition principles.
• To provide a theoretical and methodological framework for the SaM method.

Main Methods:

• The SaM method is grounded in neuroscientific evidence of embodied cognition, movement, spatial representation, mental imagery, and executive functions.
• It employs a restitutive approach with interventions at varying complexity levels, from voluntary movement programming to mental imagery.
• Goal-directed activities based on multimodal sensory experiences are utilized to enhance executive functions.

Main Results:

• The SaM method is designed to rehabilitate spatial cognition and executive functions.
• It facilitates interventions tailored to individual psychomotor profiles.
• The approach aims to improve daily life functioning by recovering crucial executive functions.

Conclusions:

• The Sense and Mind (SaM) method offers an innovative, embodied approach to neurorehabilitation.
• It holds potential for neuromotor and neuropsychological recovery across various disabilities.
• Further research with larger patient samples is needed to validate its efficacy.