Rehabilitation of patients whose motor impairments originate from damage to the central nervous system - using the Pető method
The conductive educational system, the so-called Pető-method, that is known and recognised at international level, was worked out by Dr. András Pető, physician and specialist in the treatment of backward children.
The idea in the special conductive educational method related to his name is that motor impairments originating from a damage to the central nervous system may be efficiently improved – independently of age – in the frames of complex personality development based on active learning, because despite the damage, our nervous system still possesses reserves and has the capacity to form new neural connections, and this ability can be mobilised with the help of a properly guided learning and teaching process. The method improves movement, talking, intelligence, senses, perception, will and emotions all at the same time, i.e. it treats both body and soul, as well as emotions and intelligence, learning and teaching, health and cure, so the whole person, therefore the personality development of holistic approach is realised, and learning based on the development of abilities is in the focus. In the course of the training sessions, special attention is paid to the motive of the action, making the patient motivated to perform the task, so that he/she should strive for becoming independent.This complex activity can be learned only with external help, through the conductive educational programme, with the help of special development experts, the so-called conductors.
The conductive therapy, i.e. the Pető-method can be recommended – among others – to patients with central nervous system problems (CP), who suffered the damage in their adult age.
The primarily condition of being eligible for the conductive therapy is the ability to communicate and learn.
Grounds for exclusion may be:
The rehabilitation therapy is implemented through the coordinated work of highly trained and experienced conductors in the frame of grouped and individual training sessions.
Modern neuropsychology pays considerable attention to adult rehabilitation. Its neurophysiological basis is the recognition of the fact that the plasticity of the brain is preserved even after childhood and adolescence. Even in the case of serious damage, it is possible to form new neural connections, and achieve a certain degree of self-regeneration through activity.
The method may be applied any time, independently of age. In the case of adults, it is recommended to start the therapy immediately after the period of acute treatment, naturally, in consultation with the specialists involved.
The groups for the training sessions are formulated from people with similar disfunctions. For the preliminary filtering, attach the copies of documents related to the injury, as well as the latest medical opinions and recommendations regarding the patient’s physical and mental capacity. Based on the medical findings and reports, the specialists decide whether rehabilitation would be really advantageous for the patient, and – based on the symptoms – in which group he/she should start attending the training sessions.
The groups are put together on the basis of the symptoms: Parkinson’s disease, consequences of stroke, Sclerosis multiplex, hemiplegia, paraplepia, CP, aphasia.
In certain cases, there may be a need for individual development, too, but owing to the nature of the method, it is more advantageous and successful in group form. Owing to the international recognition of the Pető method, adults with nervous system impairments come here from all over the world to take advantage of this unique method and learn to make their every-day life easier, return to their usual way of life and work, and as a result of the active learning process, become capable of using the skills acquired independently, according to their individual conditions.
The complex grouped programme contains various lying, standing, sitting and walking tasks with movements, cognitive tasks, their practising, and the application of the skills learned (re-learned) in various situations. Apart from the behaviour, talking, psychosocial and cognitive development, the practising of real-life self-care tasks also form part of the rehabilitation.
In the practical application of the method, no special advanced technical equipment is required, as the basic principle is that it is not the environment that is adjusted to the special needs and reduced abilities, but the patient has to be made capable of adjusting and integrating.
The intensive programmes of 2-4 weeks should be repeated every year, and that way a significant progress can be made compared to the status after the injury.