basal stimulation

Basal stimulation is understood to be all “basal”, i.e. fundamental, nursing and therapeutic measures to promote all sensory areas in people with physical and mental disabilities.

The aim of the measures is to improve the patient’s sensory perception, body orientation and non-verbal communication skills.

A distinction is made between eight forms of stimulation:

• Somatic (affecting the body) stimulation. These include:
  • Touching
  • Washings
  • Massages
• Vestibular (affecting balance) stimulation. These include:
  • • Regular changes in position and attitude

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  • • B. rocking and swaying

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  • • Verticalisation to improve body awareness in space

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• Vibratory (involving mechanical vibrations) stimulation.
  • • Vibrations are generated that stimulate the surface and depth sensory systems

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  • • By means of vibrating devices (plates, mats, rods)

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  • • Electric shavers

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  • • Musical instruments such as drums, strong basses, singing bowls

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• Oral (administered by mouth) stimulation – The stimulation of the brain via taste. This includes:
  • • Offering e.g. favourite foods

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  • • For people who are fed via a PEG, this can be done, for example, by moistening the tongue with different juices, soup, sauces and the like

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• Olfactory stimulation (involving the sense of smell).
  • • Aromatherapy

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  • • Scented candles

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  • Essential oils
• Acoustic stimulation
  • • B. with music or different sounds and noises

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• Visual stimulation
  • • B. showing the patient pictures, photos or even videos

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  • • Positioning the patient with a view out of the window

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  • • Mobile above the bed

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  • Various lighting
  • Walks
• Haptic (involving the sense of touch) stimulation. This includes:
  • • Touching or even grasping objects offered to the patient

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  • • Stroking animals

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