Acquired Brain Injury: Symptoms and Treatment Options for Regaining Control

Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of ABI

 Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can be unpredictable and overwhelming. You or your loved one may experience symptoms that affect movement, thinking, and independence—leaving you wondering what’s next.

 At Exercise Matters, we help people living with ABI understand their symptoms and create tailored, evidence-based treatment plans to restore movement, confidence, and daily function.

What Is Acquired Brain Injury?

ABI refers to any damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It can result from:

• Traumatic brain injury (e.g., falls, accidents, assaults)

• Stroke or aneurysm

• Infections like meningitis or encephalitis

• Brain tumours or neurosurgery

• Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation)

Every ABI is unique. Symptoms vary widely depending on the part of the brain affected, the severity, and the timing of treatment.

Common Symptoms of ABI

1. Physical Symptoms

• Muscle weakness or paralysis

• Poor coordination or balance

• Spasticity or tight muscles

• Fatigue and low stamina

• Difficulty walking or using limbs

  
  

2. Cognitive Symptoms

• Memory difficulties

• Attention and concentration problems

• Slower processing speed

• Difficulty planning or organising tasks

  
  

3. Emotional and Behavioural Symptoms

• Irritability or mood swings

• Depression or anxiety

• Reduced impulse control

• Social withdrawal

  
  

4. Sensory and Communication Symptoms

• Vision or hearing changes

• Trouble speaking or understanding language

• Altered sense of touch or temperature

Treatment Options for ABI

Recovery requires a multidisciplinary approach. Here’s how different therapies help:

1. Exercise Physiology

Supports physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery through:

• Strength and mobility training

• Gait retraining and balance drills

• Dual-task exercises for cognitive-motor function

• Fatigue management strategies

Evidence: Bateman et al. (2019) highlight that supervised physical rehabilitation improves walking speed, fatigue, and functional capacity in ABI clients.

2. Physiotherapy

Focuses on range of motion, joint mobility, and postural alignment. Often used early post-injury or post-surgery.

3. Occupational Therapy

Helps with daily tasks, home modifications, and return-to-work goals.

4. Speech Therapy

Assists with speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive communication challenges.

5. Psychology and Neuropsychology

Addresses emotional regulation, anxiety, memory, attention, and social behaviour.

6. Medical Management

Neurologists, GPs, and rehab physicians help manage medications, monitor recovery, and provide referrals.

The Role of Exercise Matters in ABI Treatment

Our Exercise Physiologists provide:

• Individualised programs based on your symptoms and goals

• Progress tracking with functional testing

• Collaboration with your wider support team (NDIS, GP, therapists)

• Support with building daily routines and long-term health habits

Case Study: Sarah, 45, ABI After Stroke

Sarah experienced right-side weakness and brain fog after a stroke. Her program included:

• Gait retraining with visual cueing

• Upper limb strength and control drills

• Walking while naming objects (dual-tasking)

After 10 weeks:

• She walked 600m unaided

• Her hand function improved significantly

• Her fatigue levels reduced from 8/10 to 4/10

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to recover from ABI?

Recovery varies based on injury severity, location, and support. Many clients see steady improvement over months or even years with structured rehab.

2. Can symptoms come and go?

Yes. Fatigue, stress, and overexertion can temporarily worsen symptoms. This is normal and manageable with pacing strategies.

3. Is it ever too late to start rehab?

No. Neuroplasticity continues for years post-injury. Many clients start therapy months or years later and still make significant progress.

4. Can you work with NDIS?

Yes. We support plan-, agency-, and self-managed participants, including report writing and goal development.

5. What happens in a session?

Sessions include structured movement, strength training, cognitive tasks, and fatigue management—customised to your abilities.

We’re Here to Help You Rebuild

ABI recovery is a journey—but you don’t have to walk it alone. Our experienced team is ready to help you regain control, step by step.

📞 Call (07) 5448 3532 🌐 www.exercisematters.healthcare

References:

• Bateman A et al. (2019). The role of physical activity in acquired brain injury rehabilitation. Brain Inj.

• Turner-Stokes L. (2015). Evidence-based rehabilitation for ABI. Clin Rehabil.

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). Brain injury statistics and recovery.