SLI’s Neuro Wellness Program (NWP) provides physical, cognitive and social fitness classes and recreational activities for acquired brain injury, helping improve health and functional abilities, leading to a higher quality of life.

Research Based ProgramsA majority of the Neuro Wellness Program classes have been proven beneficial for acquired brain injury through research conducted by SLI’s Research Council, or other brain injury rehabilitation research entities. SLI’s Research Council:

Ann Charrette, DPT, MS, PCS, MCS MCPHS UniversitySean Clark, PhDChair Kinesiology. Gordon CollegeMichelle Demore-Taber, ScD, L/CBISBrain Injury Service, Advocates

Mel Glenn, MD Chief, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Timothy Kelliher, MDDirector Stroke ProgramBeverly / Addison Gilbert Hospital Barb Kresge, MS,OTR/L,CBISKrempels CenterLaura Lorenz, PhD, MEdResearch Director, SLI Nicole Godaire, Executive DirectorBrain Injury Association of MA

Peter J. Noonan, PresidentSupportive Living, Inc.

Therese O’Neil-Pirozzi, ScD, CCC-SLP Northeastern UniversitySpaulding Rehabilitation HospitalRichard Sanders, MS, CCC-SLPSpaulding Rehabilitation HospitalBarbara WebsterSupport Group Liaison BIA MA

Neuro Wellness Program Classes

• Adaptive Exercise

• Chair Yoga

• Boxing for Balance & Core

• Expressive Arts

• Music classes

• Drumming classes

• Horticulture Therapy

• Chess Club

• Conversation and Communication

What is SLI Adaptive Exercise? The Adaptive Exercise class provides a person centeredexercise routine created by participants, and SLI instructors, to meet the individuals specific needs. The classes have from 3 to 6 people and provide:

• A fully accessible gym • Modified exercise equipment• Safety features such as harnesses and braces

to stabilize and support participants• Specialized experienced trainers • Low fees (scholarships available)• One-on-one assistance

One-on one Assistance

• College interns provide crucial one-on-one support and motivation to all participants in the Adaptive Exercise Program

• Internships provide students interested in medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and similar programs with the opportunity to obtain meaningful experience

• Interns help create fun, engaging environment

Adaptive Exercise - Benefits

• Improve balance, cardio, coordination, flexibility, strength

• Control cholesterol, blood pressure, weight

• Improve sleep• Decrease reliance on assistive devices,

and hands on assistance • Increase independence• Build Confidence • Fight depression

Don

• Regular, committed involvement in the exercise program has helped him move from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane – and he keeps improving.

“After his brain injury, my brotherbegan this program. He has improvedin so many ways – walking, dressing,even socializing. He is much moreconfident now!”

Chair Yoga

• Improved Breathing• Decreased pain in shoulders and back• Feeling relaxed after each session• Improved seated posture• preventing skin breakdowns• Adapted yoga may offer additional

benefits beyond those offered by traditional exercise for patients who have suffered a brain injury. This additional benefit is thought to be due to the integration of mind, body and spirit, which is an inherent part of yoga practice.

Boxing for Balance, Core and More….• Functional movement training exercises

(40 minutes) used by boxers are very effective for helping individuals with brain injury address many issues: balance, tremor, shuffle, rigidity, weak side, etc.

• 20 minutes of “hitting the bag,” following the various sequence of jab –cross - hook – and uppercut are a complete cognitive challenge

Expressive Arts

• “…arts therapies also contribute significantly to the humanization and comfort of modern health care institutions by relieving stress, anxiety, and pain of patients and caregivers.” (Pratt 2004)

• Expressive arts classes allow participants to engage in meaningful, fulfilling and dynamic self-expression

• Participation encourages the use of cognitive and fine motor skills applicable to everyday tasks

• The program further encourages positive social interactions with other participants and the program staff

OT students from Boston University run an expressive arts group

Donna

• Suffered a Traumatic brain injury at age 23

• Participates in adaptive exercise, art and drumming

“My daughter’s involvement in the program has been

incredible! From the exercise classes, to art and music – she is a new person! Thank you.”

Music Programs

• “Specific treatments may include the use of rhythmic stimulation to aid movement and walking, singing to address speaking and voice quality, listening to music to reduce pain and the use of music improvisations to address emotional needs and enhance a sense of wellbeing.” (Magee et al. 2010)

• Music programs, facilitated by Amplifi, a program of the Real School of Music, get survivors involved in classes that allow them to enjoy and learn about music

• Group projects may include songwriting, creating a music video, group singing, and more

• Encourages participants to engage socially and work on cognitive skills such a short-term and long-term memory retrieval, executive functioning and more

Participants perform an original song

Drumming Classes

• Drumming classes may support a group of 5-8 survivors

• Learning new rhythms and playing them together promotes physical activity and provides a cognitive task

• Participants are exposed to music and rhythms of different cultures

• Encourages social engagement with one another and with the instructor(s)

An intern supports a drumming participant

Horticulture• “Studies have reported the benefits of

horticultural therapy and garden settings in reduction of pain, improvement in attention, lessening of stress, modulation of agitation, and reduction of falls” (Detweiler, et al. 2012)

• Numerous physical and cognitive benefits• Hand-eye coordination• Fine motor skills• Social interaction• Planning ahead

• Participants learn about nutrition and health as well as practical gardening techniques

Chess and Games Club• “Health education programs with a board game

component are useful for both preventive and therapeutic intervention for cognitive-behavioral functioning, psychological conditions, and life-style diseases” (Nakao 2019)

• Social Benefits• Friendly competition • Working and conversing with others

• Cognitive benefits• Strategizing, planning• Logical and creative thinking

• Fine motor skills

Conversation Club• Practice expressing thoughts in a

social situation• Work on speaking in a coherent

and audible manner• Interacting with others• Keeping up with current events,

sports, movies, and more• Especially beneficially for those

living with aphasia

Neuro Wellness Class Locationsfor specific addresses visit www.supportivelivinginc.org

• Adaptive Exercise - Lexington, Wenham, Marblehead

• Chair Yoga - North Reading

• Boxing for Balance & Core - Lexington

• Expressive Arts - Lexington, Rockport, Woburn

• Music classes - Lexington

• Drumming classes – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn

• Horticulture Therapy – Lexington, Rockport, Woburn, North Reading

• Chess Club – Lexington, Rockport

• Conversation and Communication - Lexington

Fitness. Function. Fun

Social. Social. Social