Various therapeutic approaches can aid in recovery following brain and spinal cord injuries. These interventions include physical strategies like Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) as well as cognitive and speech therapies, which are designed to address specific deficits in areas such as memory and language.

Treatments for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

The case of ABC reporter Bob Woodruff serves as a powerful example of recovery from severe trauma. After a bomb explosion in Iraq caused a traumatic brain injury, he experienced significant cognitive problems, including difficulties with memory and language. Through intensive cognitive and speech therapy, Woodruff was able to achieve a remarkable recovery of his functions.

Bob Woodruff's Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury

Based on the principles of nervous system recovery, evaluate the specialist's recommendation for the individual in the scenario below. Is this approach likely to be beneficial, and why?

Evaluating a Recovery Plan

Cognitive and/or perceptual handicaps that develop from brain impairments can be modified by training; similarly, intensive training may restore some measure of walking ability after certain spinal cord injuries.


University of Pittsburgh

New York University

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- The brain regrows and reorganizes anatomically after being injured
- Rehabilitation and retraining can help recovery from brain and spinal cord injury
- Common contact sport injuries

Recovering Language Function

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Rehabilitation and Retraining Can Help Recovery from Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

In the months following a brain injury, people often show conspicuous improvements in behavior, as the injury site stabilizes, unaffected tissue reorganizes, and compensation occurs. The relative extent of recovery from aphasia can be predicted from several factors. 

The Brain Regrows and Reorganizes Anatomically After Being Injured

- Concussion
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Ankle Sprains
- Achilles Tendon Injuries
- Hip/Groin Injuries
- Thigh Injuries
- Foot Injuries
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Upper extremity (arm, wrist, and hand) injuries

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