
Specific therapeutic methods
Our services include neuropsychological assessment and treatment for adults with acquired brain injury or with neurodegenerative brain diseases. We also offer consultation and counseling for patients and carers. In addition, our centre offers work shops for speech and language therapists. At ZeNIS, we employ scientifically evaluated and effective treatment methods.
Here is a detailed overview of our services:
For people with aphasia
Acquired aphasia is a disorder of language and communication caused by brain damage.
Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT), also known as Intensive-Language-Action Therapy (ILAT) is a treatment method for people with chronic or acute aphasia. We developed this language therapy about 20 years ago for people with post stroke aphasia (Pulvermüller et al., 2001). The effectiveness of this therapeutic method has been demonstrated in a number of randomized-controlled clinical trials. Due to its effectiveness, CIAT/ILAT is now applied in many clinical centres worldwide to treat people with acquired aphasia.
ILAT is usually applied in a group setting with 3 people with aphasia and a therapist. It is applied for ca. 2 hours a day for a period of 2-3 consecutive weeks.
ILAT is one of the most effective treatment methods for language and communication problems in aphasia. Several studies have demonstrated that even in chronic aphasia, ILAT leads to significant improvements in language and communication abilities.
For people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a disorder of language and communication caused by a progressive, neurodegenerative brain disease. PPA is considered as a specific form of dementia affecting primarily the language system in the brain. ILAT can be applied in affected people with mild to moderate symptoms.
For people with Parkinson's disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder accompanied by motor problems and neuropsychological symptoms, e.g. speech and language problems, difficulties with learning and memory, tremor, problems initiating voluntary movements, or symptom aggravation in stressful everyday situations.
Our behavioural training programme was developed specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease to improve motor, psychological, and social difficulties.
The effectiveness of this training programme has been demonstrated in a study with people affected by mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease (Mohr et al., 1996; 1997). The treatment is based on the following components:
- The aquisition of a relaxation technique (e.g. Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation) and its use in stressful situations
- Training of motor skills (e.g. posture, speech, fine motor movements, initiation of movements)
- Training of language and communication
- Training of social skills
- Psychotherapeutic intervention of depressive symptoms
The behavioural intervention programme can be applied as an individual or as a group training.
For therapists
We offer training workshops and supervision for speech and language therapists and neuropsychologists who wish to learn CIAT/ILAT. Please contact us for more information