Waqar M Naqvi et al., Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci.

, 2020, 11 (SPL4), 1386-1389

S C

I J R
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Published by JK Welfare & Pharmascope Foundation Journal Home Page: www.ijrps.com

Importance of Brain gym as exercise in physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Vaishnavi V Siroya1 , Waqar M Naqvi*2 , Chaitanya A Kulkarni2
1
Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha- 442001,
Maharashtra, India
2
Department of Community Health Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe
Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha- 442001, Maharashtra, India

Article History: A

Received on: 01 Oct 2020

Revised on: 04 Nov 2020 This is not unprecedented that a whole industry, effectively promoted, has
Accepted on: 05 Nov 2020 grown to promote the notion of ’brain-based’ learning among other ideas.
Much attention has been put on connecting advances in neuroscience research
Keywords:
with educational approaches to boost learning. Brain Gym is a curricu-
lum basically focused on theories of neuroscience and educational kinesiol-
Brain Gym, ogy. Intervention of brain gym consists of integrated, cross-lateral, balance-
Physiotherapy, requiring movements that mechanically activate both hemispheres of the
Exercises, brain through the motor and sensory cortexes. The study describes the impor-
Rehabilitation tance of brain gym exercise in physiotherapy. Exercise can stimulate the brain
in such a way that neurons are often in a condition to handle the different
data from outside and are capable of responding to a ”corporate member” of
their duty in compliance with parts of brain activity by means of the princi-
ple of ”brain-body link”. Brain Gym is a great source of personal development,
enabling individuals to obtain rapid transformations and also improve quality
of life in different age group.

*
Corresponding Author brain learning (Spaulding et al., 2010). The neu-
Name: Waqar M Naqvi ral mechanism and white matter connectivity of the
Phone: brain is in luence by the intervention of the exer-
Email: waqar.naqvi@dmimsu.edu.in cise (Gujral et al., 2017). According to Brain Gym
literature, the abstract framework on which brain
ISSN: 0975-7538 activity is conceptualized is generally simpli ied and
de ined along dimensions: laterality, attention and
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26452/ijrps.v11iSPL4.4310 centering. Laterality, the synchronization between
Production and Hosted by the brain’s right and left hemispheres, which is
considered important for reading, writing, hearing,
IJRPS | www.ijrps.com communicating and being able to walk and think.
© 2020 | All rights reserved. Focusing, the ability to process information in the
brain, which is connected to perception and lack in
attention/hyperactivity. The inal section, center-
INTRODUCTION ing, the top and bottom brain parts organized as
necessary to combine rational thought with emo-
Brain Gym is an academic kinesiological program
tion (Chen et al., 2019).
that is promoted and applied with a consistent
learning purpose and is invented by Paul and Gail As per the founders, routine performance of brain
Dennison, in the 1970s. Brain Gym activities gymnastics results in the activation and develop-
includes of 26 basic motions, which are believed ment of various parts of the brain, especially the
to improve perception and stimulates brain hemi- corpus callosum, which allows contact between the
sphere by neural re-modelling to facilitate whole two sides of the brain smoothly and in a more opti-

1386 © International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences

 Waqar M Naqvi et al., Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci., 2020, 11 (SPL4), 1386-1389

mized way for high-level thinking (Hyatt, 2007). The tioning. Finally, it has been suggested that a higher
brain is a complex organ which focuses on motion level of itness through increased physical activity
and according to Hannaford, “activity is necessary might have a positive effect on neuropathologic sub-
for learning” (Weslake and Christian, 2015). Brain strates as well as it might lead to a decreased whole-
training is very important in neuro rehabilitation it brain and medial temporal lobe atrophy in older
reduces atrophy, decrease white matter lesion bur- adults (Cancela et al., 2015). Intervention of phys-
den, and improve cognitive function. It is effec- iotherapy in elderly patients leads to improve sleep,
tive treatment for depressed older adults, since its quality of life and reduce depression and stress and
neural bene its enhanced for age-related atrophy it has an signi icant effects on the cognition and psy-
aggravated by neuropathology (Li, 2017). Neu- chological perception (Deslandes et al., 2009).
roimaging work has suggested that motor learning Brain gym plays an important role in pediatric
and skill transfer require activation of perceptual treatment with neural dysfunction such as autism,
processing regions and more motor cortex activity. attention de icit hyperactive disorder, dyspraxia,
Changes within the nervous system are required for dyslexia (Cortese, 2013). Children with Autism
the effective transfer of learned motor mechanics in Spectrum Disorder experience problems such as
sports (Grooms et al., 2018). behavioral impairments in social interaction and
Physical therapy intervention aims at the optimiza- weak communication skills. Intervention of brain
tion of activity, social participation, and quality of gym in ASD children is effective in enhancing mem-
life, as well as the health condition of people with ory and concentration power and also improves
acute and chronic disabilities. The most effective quality of life. It also has a signi icant effect on
way to activate brain is to integrate the right and the student with depression and stress. Andrea
left-brain functions by combining kinesthetic and Watson and Ginger L. Kelso in 2014 found the
tactile learning, strategies with visual and audi- effect of brain gym on academic engagement for
tory exercises. Brain exercise leads to sensory children with developmental disabilities and claims
integrity, motor learning and brain-body connec- that wide areas of educational functioning such as
tion. Brain-inspired learning has recently gained concentration and emphasis are strengthened, and
additional interest in solving control and decision- more speci ic areas such as learning, writing, math-
making tasks (Chen et al., 2019). A motion in the ematics and studying. Although some work has
mental workout has been shown to have increased already started in these areas, researchers will sys-
blood circulation and stability, good oxygen levels tematically assess performance improvements in
and healthy metabolism (Doewes, 2009). Diabetic each ield. For the development of brain in mentally
peripheral neuropathy including perception impair- effects children brain gym exercises are found to
ment is known to contribute to compromised equi- be very ef icient and convenient (Watson and Kelso,
librium, abnormal gait habits and increased risk of 2014).
accidents. According to the studies there is signif- As per the research conducted by Dustin R. Grooms
icant improvement in balance and reduced risk of et al. in 2018 in order to clarify the adaptive mecha-
fall after Brain Gym exercises in patients with dia- nisms of neuromotor learning this study offers early
betic neuropathy. This exercise is useful in treating information leading to the neuronal developmen-
hypertensive patients as it reduces stress, relieves tal processes of risk of serious injury – decreas-
anxiety, promotes circulation of blood and boots ing movement process transition to sports. This
brain development (Panse et al., 2018). improving occipital cortex output could strengthen
Many studies show that brain gym is the non- the learning process of motor coordination habits
pharmacological treatment for mental health espe- exercised during practicing and promote the trans-
cially in geriatrics. The ageing process is char- ferring of these patterns to many other sport-
acterized by the loss of progressive physiological speci ic practices. Such novels describe the possi-
integrity, which causes impaired function and this ble neuronal pathways of transmitting adjustment
damage leads to various diseases, such as cancer, to sport through neuronal exercise. It comprehen-
diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurode- sive integrative evaluation of neuromotor regulation
generative disease (Efffendy et al., 2019). José María from the cognitive mechanisms to the neurological
Cancela et al. conducted a study which represents performance will help potential initiatives to mini-
the ef icacy of brain gym training on cognitive per- mize injury risk-limiting treatments by speci ically
formance and itness level in elderly patient and targeting neuronal processes that enhance the tran-
suggested that Brain Gym can be considered as a sition of procedure adjustments to the sport expe-
useful physical therapy strategy for older adults, rience (Grooms et al., 2018). This show that brain
since it can have a positive impact on brain func- training is very effective in sports physiotherapy as

© International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences 1387

 Waqar M Naqvi et al., Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci., 2020, 11 (SPL4), 1386-1389

it enhances the cortex for learning the motor pat- ply of blood between the brain and body, decreases
terns. anxiety, stimulates the vestibular system for equi-
And many studies have successfully proved that librium, bene icial effects on mental health and
with the help of brain gym activities intervention decrease the ight or light mechanism.
there is signi icant effects as various ields (Des- Funding Support
landes et al., 2009). In school systems around the
The authors declare that they have no funding sup-
world, Brain Gym is used to help students in accom-
port for this study.
plishing great things faster. In the technology indus-
try, Brain Gym is often used to help staff at all abil- Con lict of Interest
ity levels to do their job comfortably and conve-
The authors declare that there is no con lict of inter-
niently. Brain Gym is also used in athletics, promot-
est for this study.
ing leadership skills as well as team contact. Brain
Gym is a great resource for personal development,
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© International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences 1389