Enriched Environments Hold Promise for Brain Injury Patients

A study conducted by Tel Aviv University, published in the journal Behavioral Brain Research, has proposed that stimulating environments during recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) could increase healing rates. The study analyzed two groups of mice which had minimal TBIs. The control group was kept in standard cages and lived in routine conditions, while the experimental group was provided with an enriched environment including wide-open spaces, running wheels, easy access to food and water and recreational toys. Utilizing the Novel Object Recognition test and maze testing, the two groups were evaluated throughout the six-week study to gauge their brain injury recovery. The group provided with the enriched living environment demonstrated higher scores, indicating an improved rate of recovery. “Possible clinical implications indicate the importance of adapting elements of enriched environments to humans, such as prolonged and intensive physical activity, possibly combined with intensive cognitive stimulation. Through proper exercise, stimuli, and diet, we can improve a patient’s condition. No one is promising a cure, but now we have evidence that this can help,” said the lead researcher. To learn more about this study, click here.