UCLA Neurological Rehabilitation and Research Program

Inpatient Rehabilitation

The inpatient program works with patients who are transferred from an acute hospital after becoming medically stable following a stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, attack of multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, critical illness neuropathy or myopathy, or neurosurgical procedure for an aneurysm, tumor or other brain or spinal problem. Most patients are not able to walk or do basic self care, or have difficulties with language, attention, memory, and other cognitive skills. Patients usually require ongoing medical care along with their rehabilitation, such as adjustment of medications for the risk factors that led to a stroke, systems for feeding and hydration, bowel and bladder care, and management of depression and anxiety that complicate the response to disease.

Physical, occupational, recreational, and speech and cognitive therapists work with them for at least 4 hours daily in formal treatments. Patients practice with the nurses and family throughout the day. The average length of stay depends on progress toward initial goals. Most patients are able to return home with supervision or some physical assistance within 4 weeks. This places demands on caregivers, of course. Upon discharge, most patients have achieved enough gains to be managed at home, but they are usually only about 30% of the way toward recovery at that time. Their therapy then continues in the home through Home Health Services and then at an outpatient facility.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

The outpatient program works with patients who have not yet achieved the gains they had hoped would evolve. These patient are assessed by our physicians and therapists for their potential strengths - residual functions that can be used to further train their walking, ability to use the affected hand, or speak and think better. The program is created for the needs of the person and aims to enhance what is important for the person and family, yet within the creative limits of what is feasible. Outpatient therapy is often a series of experiments to see works best. The motivation of the patient and family must be high. Our physicians enjoy the challenge of working outside of the box. Some patients may be interested in one of our clinical research programs. These retraining efforts within the context of research may combine medications to enhance learning with brain imaging, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, that reveals the reorganization of the brain in response to the therapies.

Appointments can be made by contacting: