Cognitive and Communicative Perspectives on Physiotherapy: a Review

Abstract

In this paper, the area of cognition and communication is reviewed with special emphasis on the role of motor functions in cognition and communication, and their relation to physiotherapy. Short and long-term cognitive consequences caused by motor activity or by neuro-motor disorders are addressed, as well as the motor-cognitive prerequisites for language and (alternative) communication. The working memory notion is useful in summarizing similarities among the many neuro-motor disorders reviewed. It is commonplace that executive, central functions (e.g., attention) are negatively affected. In addition, phonology is a key function in the understanding of working memory support for alternative communication. It is ventured that this type of theoretical analysis of consequences and prerequisites is important for the further development of physiotherapy in research and practice.