All Entries in the "Rehabilitation" Category
Stroke Rehabilitation: Virtual Reality works
In this interesting meta-analysis about the effects of virtual reality technology on the functional outcome of upper limb motor weakness after stroke, Saposnik G et al mentioned that Virtual reality (VR) technology is a novel adjunctive therapy that could be applied in neurorehabilitation. (Stroke. 2011; 42:1380-1386). Eleven of 12 studies showed a significant benefit toward [...]
Robot-Assisted Therapy for stroke patients
Evidences are needed for the effect of the new technologies on the rehabilitation of stroke patients who suffered from long term motor deficits especially of the upper limbs. In this multicenter, randomized, controlled trial involving 127 patients with moderate-to-severe upper-limb impairment 6 months or more after a stroke, the authors randomly assigned 49 patients to [...]
Strength Training in Stroke patients
Two occupational therapists from University of British Columbia in Vancouver/Canada have performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials related to the subject of strength training for the arm weakness following a stroke. This type of training is considered in rehabilitation as an important intervention with the potential to improve function Electronic databases were searched from [...]
Falls following stroke: What are the risk factors?
From Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Poland, two authors were aiming to assess the incidence and circumstances of falls among stroke patients in a rehabilitation ward, the frequency of fall-related fractures, the relationship between falls and rehabilitation outcomes, and risk factors for falls. The results of the study which was a prospective one and [...]
The effects of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) on plantarflexor spasticity, stiffness and gait in chronic stroke
Plantarflexor (PF) spasticity secondary to stroke can decrease mobility and reduce function. BTX-A treatment is increasingly used clinically to reduce spasticity, but its effectiveness on mobility has not been established. This pilot study from Queen’s University in Canada which was presented in the European Stroke Conference on 30th May 2007 in Glasgow, UK examined PF [...]
Retention of upper limb function in stroke survivors: the EXCITE randomised trial
I am sure that the Stroke Rehabilitation community will welcome the results of this randomised trial (Lancet Neurology 2008; 7:33-40). The aim of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is to promote use of a limb that is functionally impaired after a stroke. In one form of CIMT to treat upper limb impairment, use of the less [...]
Effects of an Anterior Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Postural Stability in Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia
The problem of maintaining the posture of a hemiplegic stroke patient remains a challenging one. This study ( Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87) is aiming to evaluate the effects of an anterior leaflet ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) on postural stability in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Twenty-one stroke patients with hemiplegia resulting from new-onset stroke and [...]
