New Body Language in Neuro Rehab

Hello neuro rehab enthusiasts!

This week, we dive into the subconscious ways we shape our patient's engagement - stuff we pepper and exude in our way of being that can drive outcomes just as profoundly as any technique. Body language is often overlooked in clinical training, yet it’s the quickest tool you can shift to drive better patient buy-in.

Call it the art of therapy if you will?

🧭 The Science: Nonverbal Communication Drives Connection

• Up to 70% of interpersonal communication is nonverbal, with body positioning, facial expressions, and gestures sending continual signals of empathy, authority, and safety (Hall et al., 2019).

• In neurological populations (stroke, TBI, degenerative disease), patients may be extra sensitive to therapist affect due to changes in cognition, confidence, and mood.

• Clinical studies in rehab show therapist openness (open posture, direct eye contact, nodding, matching patient rhythm) correlates with greater goal engagement, increased session participation, and stronger therapeutic alliance (Finset & Ørnes, 2017).

• Here is what this looks like in reality:

🤔 Why Is Body Language Underused in Rehab?

• Time pressures: Rush reduces self-awareness of nonverbal cues.

• “Hands-on” focus: Manual handling can overshadow how the therapist appears emotionally or energetically.

• Lack of feedback: Few therapists get constructive feedback about their own body language style.

💡 Practical Takeaway — Small Habits, Big Impact

Adopt “micro-behaviours” with every patient as routine. These are easy to implement and can instantly increase trust and engagement:

• Neutral/relaxed shoulders: Signals calm control.

• Open arms/hands visible: Invites participation.

• Frequent, sincere nodding: Validates patient effort and expression.

• Consistent, gentle eye contact: Projects confidence and attention (tailor for cultural/contextual appropriateness).

• Mirroring (subtle): Reflecting the patient’s posture or tempo can build subconscious rapport.

🛠️ Therapist Toolbox: Nonverbal Habits to Apply

👁️ Real-World Scenario

A patient with early dementia was withdrawn and nonverbal during sessions. When the therapist deliberately matched the patient’s slow tempo, nodded to validate efforts, and minimized physical “towers” by sitting, the patient started making eye contact, attempting more tasks, and later reported “feeling safe” in therapy.

🚩 Obstacles and Solutions

• “I feel awkward changing my body language consciously.”
  Solution: Practice one micro-habit at a time; use peer observation or video to track progress.

• “My focus slips during busy days.”
  Solution: Use entry routines; e.g., take a grounding breath and check body posture before each new session.

🚀 Quick Action Tips for This Week

1. Record a short snippet of your session (with consent) and notice one body language habit to adjust.

2. Pick a “patient engagement cue” (eye contact, nod, posture) to emphasize in every interaction.

3. Ask a trusted colleague or student observer: “What is the first impression I give off to patients? What’s my default body language?”

📝 Reflection for Clinicians

Thanks for reading!

Before you go…

If you enjoyed this issue, please reply back and let me what you liked about it or what you would like to see more of!

Wishing you the best this week,

Keegan and the Neuro Pro Digest team

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