Can birdwatching help stroke recovery? Researchers say it could aid communication skills
Watching birds has become a meaningful part of stroke recovery at the University of Montana, offering a natural, low-pressure way to practise communication, researchers say.
In Montana, United States, researchers are exploring whether birdwatching can aid stroke recovery by improving communication skills. Cooper's hawks, a native North American bird species, have become a part of stroke patients' rehabilitation journey. The most common consequence of a stroke is impaired communication, known as aphasia, which affects around one-third of stroke survivors daily.
Catherine Off, a researcher at the University of Montana, co-directs the Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) and explains that aphasia does not signify intellectual challenges but rather a change in language function. The program aims to counter these effects by pairing stroke survivors with communication partners and leading them through birdwatching activities.
Off emphasizes that communication function only improves when there is a desire to communicate about something. The researchers argue that birdwatching allows survivors to remain socially engaged even when verbal output is limited. Early results of the program are promising, but the researchers note that it is still in its conceptual stage and needs formal clinical evidence to prove its long-term effectiveness.
The incidence and prevalence of stroke are expected to rise over the next 25 years, making it crucial to improve stroke survivors' quality of life. Unequal access to high-quality prevention, acute care, and rehabilitation services further complicates recovery, but birdwatching could provide an accessible and enjoyable way to maintain and improve communication skills.
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