Stroke Treatment and Recovery. Are You Serious?
NeuroRehab Team
Friday, June 24th, 2016
Arm and HandFoot Drop BraceLegVision
It is true that recovering from a stroke will be an uphill battle for many, however, it is also accurate that the latest research findings regarding neuro recovery are more promising than ever before. How serious are you with embracing evidence into your practice? As a clinician, are you stuck using numerous theoretical-based treatment concepts that have not scientifically been proven to be effective?
Listed below are some of the common interventions supported by research that have shown positive results. How many of the below techniques are in your current therapy toolbox? If just a few, then why?
Arm and Hand Research Findings
- Electrical Stimulation and EMG-Triggered Stimulation can improve upper extremity function and decrease shoulder subluxation.
- Electrical Stimulation can reduce spasticity.
- Arm training using an Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy Device can improve motor recovery of the shoulder and elbow.
- Exercise and cardiovascular training using equipment like an Exercise Aid or Arm Bike are beneficial for stroke patients.
- Virtual Reality/Exercise Games and Biofeedback can improve motor function.
- Visual Imagery, such as Mirror Therapy, can reduce pain, improve visual spatial neglect and reduce motor impairment.
- A Hand Function Splint can improve independence, facilitate movement, support a weakened joint and result in improved motor recovery when combined with task-specific training.
- Unweighting the arm with a Mobile Arm Support can improve motor recovery and assist with functional tasks.
- Repetitive task-specific training, such as Constraint-Induced Therapy, can improve motor function.
- Mental practice (rehearsing tasks mentally), in combination with other treatment, can improve upper extremity function.
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox) decreases spasticity and increases range of motion.
- Subluxation Slings can prevent shoulder subluxation and reduce pain.
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Mobility and Leg Research Findings
- Exercise and cardiovascular training using equipment like an Exercise Aid or Leg Bike are beneficial for stroke patients.
- Electrical Stimulation and EMG-Triggered Stimulation can improve walking ability.
- Electrical Stimulation can reduce spasticity.
- Lower Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy Device can improve functional walking performance.
- A Foot Drop Brace can improve ambulation.
- A Lower Limb Contracture Splint can prevent ankle contracture.
- Virtual Reality/Exercise Games and Biofeedback may enhance gait performance.
- Balance training may be beneficial to stroke patients.
- Gait training (i.e., treadmill training) with Body Weight Support can be beneficial.
- Mental practice (rehearsing tasks mentally) can be beneficial for transfers and mobility.
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox) decreases spasticity and increases range of motion.
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Vision Recovery Research Findings
- Computer-based scanning therapy, such as Visual Motor Training and Virtual Reality/Exercise Games can improve visual neglect.
- Wearing Visual Aids, like Prisms, may improve functional performance with every-day tasks. Prisms can be used to reduce the apparent visual field loss by shifting visual stimuli from the blind field into the patient’s seeing field. These prisms are fitted to glasses but need to be restricted to just one half of each of the lenses (typically on the side of the blind field).
- Visual scanning techniques can improve visual neglect with associated improvements in function.
- Compensatory training (adapting to the vision loss) can significantly improve search performance and efficiency.
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Arm Bike
An Arm is a stationary cycle designed to strengthen and condition the upper body, as well as the cardiovascular system, by using the arms.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback or electromyography (EMG) is a non-invasive technique used for measuring muscle electrical activity that occurs during muscle contraction and relaxation.
Body Weight Support
Body Weight Support uses a suspension system and a harness to support a percentage of the user’s body weight during standing, walking or exercise.
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Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a technique used to elicit a muscle contraction using electrical impulses. Electrical current is then sent from the unit to the electrodes and delivered into the muscle causing a contraction.
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EMG-Triggered Stimulation
EMG-Triggered Stimulation is based on the user’s voluntary movement, or intent to move. Electrodes, controlled by a unit, are placed on the skin over a specific area. Once the user attempts to contract his or her muscles and reaches the prescribed threshold, stimulation is triggered (delivered) to the same muscles. Various visual and auditory feedback options monitor the progress.
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Exercise Aid
An Exercise Aid is a piece of equipment used during physical activity to improve strength and coordination of the body region targeted.
Foot Drop Brace
A Foot Drop Brace is a rigid or flexible support that offers dynamic or static assistance to the weakened foot so functional mobility and exercises can be possible.
Hand Function Splint
A Hand Function Splint is a rigid or flexible brace that offers dynamic or static assistance to the weakened hand so functional activities and exercises can be possible.
Leg Bike
A Leg Bike is a stationary cycle designed to strengthen and condition the lower body, as well as the cardiovascular system, by using the legs.
Lower Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy
Lower Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy consists of an electromechanical device, designed for the leg, that is used to assist users (through powered mobility) with exercise training and activities of daily living (ADL).
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Mirror Therapy
In Mirror Therapy, a mirror is placed beside the unaffected limb, blocking the view of the affected limb. This creates the illusion that both limbs are functioning properly. Damaged areas of the brain’s motor cortex may improve by viewing movements of intact, functioning limbs.
Mobile Arm Support
A Mobile Arm Support (MAS) is a gravity supported mechanical device mounted on wheelchairs, tables, or base frames. A MAS is used to support the weak arm to improve motor function and strength. In addition, the device allows patients with shoulder weakness to perform self care tasks such as feeding, hygiene, grooming, and writing.
Shoulder Subluxation Sling
A Subluxation Sling is typically used on hemiparetic arms that are flaccid or exhibit minimal to no movement. They offer support, protection against injury and can prevent or reduce shoulder pain.
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Upper Limb Contracture Splint
A Upper Limb Contracture Splint is a brace used to prevent or treat contractures. The goal of a contracture splint is to help keep the soft tissues (muscle and tendons) in the arm and hand stretched properly.
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Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy
Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy consists of an electromechanical device, designed for the arm or hand, that is used to assist users (through powered mobility) with exercise training and activities of daily living (ADL).
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