Transcript Thursday

Concorde Career College Physical Therapist Assistant

PTA 150: Fundamentals of Treatment II Day 9 & 10 CVA

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Objectives

 Describe the pathophysiology of a CVA  Describe physical and neurological impairments associated with CVA  Describe physical therapy treatment interventions for patients after a CVA Concorde Career College

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Sudden loss of neurological function caused by an interruption of the blood flow to the brain

O’Sullivan, pg. 705 Concorde Career College

CVA Epidemiology

 The 3 rd leading cause of death in the US  THE most common cause for disability in US adults  Incidence of stroke 1.25 times greater for males than females  Compared to whites, African-Americans have 2x the risk of first-ever stroke (higher also with Mexican-Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives) Concorde Career College

Definitions

 CVA is used interchangeably with the term “stroke”  Neurological deficits must remain for > 24 hours to be classified as a

stroke

 Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)  Temporary interruption of blood flow to brain  Symptoms resolve quickly (within 24 hours)  Few if any permanent signs or symptoms  Precursor to stroke  About 14% of persons surviving an initial stroke or TIA will experience another one within a year Concorde Career College

Types of Strokes

 Hemorrhagic Stroke  Blood vessels rupture, blood leaks into the brain  1˚ Cerebral Hemorrhage results from ruptured blood vessels weakened by atherosclerosis   Results in ↑ ICP and restricts blood flow to the brain Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) – bleeding b/w  • arachnoid layer and pia mater Common cause: aneurysm & AVM Subdural Hemorrhage (SDH) – bleeding b/w dura • mater and arachnoid layer Common cause is trauma Concorde Career College

Types of Strokes

 Ischemic Stroke  Most common (~80%)  A clot blocks or impairs blood flow to the brain  Can result from a Thrombosis • Results from platelet adhesions & aggregation on plaques • Cerebral Thrombosis: Blood clot forms in cerebral artery • Thrombi lead to ischemia = cerebral infarction  Can result from an Embolus • Dislodged matter; blood clot, plaque, fat, gas, air, tissue that dislodges in the body and travels to the brain occluding cerebral circulation Concorde Career College

Impact

 Severity and symptoms of stroke depend on  Location of ischemic process  Size of the ischemic area  Nature & function of structures involved  Availability of collateral flow • O’Sullivan , page 708 Concorde Career College

Anterior Cerebral Artery Syndrome Middle Cerebral Artery Syndrome Posterior Cerebral Artery Syndrome Vertebrobasilar Artery Syndrome Internal Carotid Artery Syndrome Lacunar Syndrome

Vascular Syndromes

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Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)

 Supplies medial part of the frontal and parietal lobe, basal ganglia and corpus callosum Concorde Career College

ACA Syndrome

 Contralateral sensory & motor loss with LEs affected more than UEs  Urinary incontinence  Mental impairment (confusion, amnesia)  Apraxia affecting ability to imitate or perform bimanual tasks  Abulia (lack of desire to carry out an action), slowness, delayed movements, lack of spontaneous movements  Behavioral changes Concorde Career College

Medial Cerebral Artery (MCA)

 Supplies lateral cerebral hemispheres (incl. frontal, parietal and temporal lobes) Concorde Career College

MCA Syndrome

 Contralateral hemiparesis of face and UE mainly  Pure motor hemiplegia (lacunar stroke)   Contralateral hemisensory loss of face & UE mainly Speech impairment: Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, global aphasis  Perceptual deficits: unilateral neglect, depth perception difficulties, agnosia  Apraxia  Ataxia of contralateral limbs (sensory ataxia)   Contralateral hemianopsia Table 18.2 (O’Sullivan) Concorde Career College

Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)

 Supplies occipital lobe, medial and inferior temporal lobe, thalamus & brain Concorde Career College

PCA Syndrome

 Contralateral sensory & motor loss (hemianesthesia)  Hemianopsia  Visual agnosia, prosopagnosia and cortical blindness  Oculomotor nerve palsy  Involuntary movement  Choreoathetosis, intention tremor, hemiballismus  Thalamic pain  Pusher syndrome Concorde Career College

Hemiballismus - Video

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hemiballismus &view=detail&mid=290D280B1B53C5E9CDEB290 D280B1B53C5E9CDEB&first=0&FORM=LKVR Concorde Career College

Vertebrobasilar Artery

 Vertebral artery arises from the subclavian artery, travels into the brain and then merge to form the basilar artery  Vertebral artery supplies the cerebellum and medulla  Basilar artery supplies the pons, internal ear, and cerebellum Concorde Career College

Vertebrobasilar Artery Syndrome

 Wide variety of symptoms with ipsilateral and contralateral signs  Numerous cerebellar and cranial nerve abnormalities  Refer to Table 18.4 in O’Sullivan for details Concorde Career College

Internal Carotid Artery (ACA) Syndrome

 Supplies both the MCA and ACA  Complete occlusion leads to ↑↑ cerebral edema = coma & possible death  Incomplete occlusion = mix of ACA & MCA syndromes Concorde Career College

Lacunar Infarct

 Caused by small vessel disease deep in cerebral white matter Concorde Career College

Lacunar Syndrome

 Contralateral weakness  Sensory loss  Dystonia/Involuntary movement  Choreoathetosis, hemiballismus  Ataxia Concorde Career College

CVA – Major Risk Factors Primary

 Atherosclerosis  HTN  Heart disease  Diabetes  Smoking  TIA

Secondary

 Obesity  Hypercholesteremia  Physical Inactivity  ↑ Alcohol consumption Concorde Career College

Stroke Warning Signs

TIME IS BRAIN

 Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body  Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding  Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes  Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination  Sudden, severe headache with no known cause www.StrokeAssociation.org

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Imaging - CT

 Frontal lobe stroke Concorde Career College

Imaging - MRI

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CVA Medical Management

 Reestablish cerebral circulation and oxygenation  Control blood pressure  Maintain sufficient cardiac output  Restore/maintain fluid & electrolyte balance  Maintain blood glucose levels  Control ICP  Maintain bladder function (possible use of catheter)  Maintain integrity of skin and joints Concorde Career College

Pharmacological Management

 Anticoagulants (heparin, coumadin); to reduce clots and maintain profusion)  Antiplatelets (aspirin); used to decrease the risk of recurrent stroke  Antihypertensives Concorde Career College

Surgical Intervention

 Endarterectomy – surgical removal of lining and plaque in an artery  Used to prevent strokes (not treat them)  In the case of hemorrhage – surgery to repair rupture, prevent further bleeding evacuate the clot  Resection of unruptured AVM if found and risk is high Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Sensation Impairments  ↓ sensory perception & ability to process sensory information • Touch, temperature, position, kinesthetic, pain • ASTEROGNOSIS • The inability to identify an object by touch without visual input  Pain  Can experience severe headaches, neck or facial pain  Central post-stroke (thalamic) pain: constant, severe burning with intermittent sharp pains Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Visual Impairments  Eye movements (sluggish, reflexive, ataxic)  Hemianopsia: Blindness in half of each eye’s visual field (loss on the nasal side and half on temple side)  Visual neglect  Difficulties w/ depth perception & spatial relationships  Forced gaze deviation  Brainstem strokes may result in diplopia, oscillopsia or visual distortions Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

Motor Impairments – Stages of Motor Recovery  Stage 1 - Flaccidity  Stage 2 - Minimal voluntary movement; may see synergies and spasticity develop  Stage 3 – Voluntary control the movement synergies; spasticity may ↑ further  (Continued) Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

Motor Impairments – Stages of Motor Recovery  Stage 4 – movement combinations that do not follow the path of synergy are mastered; spasticity ↓  Stage 5 – Difficult movement combinations are learned  Stage 6 – disappearance of spasticity, individual joint movements become possible and coordination approaches normal Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Motor Impairments  Weakness (paresis) • Occurs in 80-90% of all patients after stroke • Varies depending on location and size of stroke • Can result in complete paralysis/hemiparesis • Typically, more distal muscles exhibit greater weakness • May even see weakness on the “normal” side • Changes in muscle composition 2˚ weakness & disuse • Atrophy, ↓ Fast twitch type II, ↑ slow twitch type I • ↑ effort and fatigability Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Motor Impairments  Changes in tone • Flaccidity – present immediately as a result of cerebral shock; usually short-lived but sometimes persists • Spasticity/hypertonicity • • Occurs in about 90% of patients after stroke Posturing of limbs is common with mod → severe spasticity • Spasms (internal or external stimulation) Concorde Career College

Posturing

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Primary Impairments

 Motor Impairments  Abnormal synergistic movement patterns • Associated with spasticity, may ↓ with recovery • Review Table 18.5 in O’Sullivan  Impaired reflex responses (mild to severe) • Vary according to stage of recovery • Hyporeflexia with flaccidity → hyperreflexia with spasticity • ↑ stretch reflex – clonus, clasp-knife, (+) Babinski • ATNR • Associated reactions Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Motor Impairments  Impaired coordination responses • Cerebellar strokes = ataxia & weakness • Basal Ganglia involvement = slow movements (bradykinesia) & involuntary movements (choreoathetosis, hemiballismus) Concorde Career College

Video - Cerebellar Ataxia

 http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cerebellar+a taxia&view=detail&mid=F8130C8EBA0E3DD338C 5F8130C8EBA0E3DD338C5&first=1&FORM=LKV R3  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cerebellar+a taxia&view=detail&mid=08E8A16F23E5E860EE90 08E8A16F23E5E860EE90&first=21&FORM=LKVR 18

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Primary Impairments

 Motor Impairments  Altered motor programming • Motor praxis • Ideational apraxia • Ideomotor apraxia  Diminished muscle performance for ADL • Strength, Power, Endurance Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Postural Control & Balance Impairments  May experience difficulty with balance 2˚ to an external force or during self-initiated exercises • Corrective responses to perturbations are often inadequate = fall  Asymmetry typically noted in posture • Typically see falls to the same side as weakness  Pusher Syndrome • Active pushing of the uninvolved side offsets muscle control of the involved side (falls, leaning) Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Speech and Language Impairments  Aphasia – an acquired communication disorder caused by brain damage and is characterized by an impairment of language comprehension, formulation and use. (O’Sullivan, pg. 722) Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Speech and Language Impairments  Receptive Aphasia • aka. Wernicke’s/Sensory/Fluent Aphasia • Auditory and reading comprehension impaired • Speech is functional  Expressive Aphasia • aka. Broca’s/Nonfluent Aphasia • Difficulty finding words to express ideas  Global Aphasia • Receptive and Expressive Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Speech and Language Impairments  Dysarthria • Nasal quality of speech, slurred words  Dysphonia • Difficulty producing sounds  Dysphagia • Difficulty in swallowing Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Altered Perception  Body scheme – relationship of body parts to one another as well as the body’s relationship to the environment  Body image – visual and mental image of one’s body may be altered following a stroke • Includes the individual’s feelings about this image Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Examples of body scheme/image impairments:  Unilateral Neglect • Visual recognition or attention on involved side • Limb neglect or attention on involved side  Anosognosia – denial, neglect or unawareness of one’s paralysis  Somatoagnosia – lack of awareness of one’s body structure and its relationship to the environment  Right-left discrimination  Finger agnosia Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Altered Perception   Agnosia - inability to recognize incoming information despite intact sensory capabilities (O’Sullivan, pg 723) • Visual object agnosia • Auditory agnosia • Tactile agnosia (astereoagnosia) Spatial relationship – difficulty determining the relationship between the body and 2 or more objects in the environment Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Cognitive Impairments  ↓ alertness  ↓ attention  Altered orientation  Diminished memory  Impaired executive function Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Cognitive Impairments – Vocabulary  Confabulation  Perseveration  Multi-infarct dementia  Delirium Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Alterations in Affect  Pseudobulbar Affect • A.k.a. emotional dysregulation syndrome or emotional lability • Emotional outbursts (crying, laughing)  Apathy  Euphoria  ↑ irritability or frustration  Social inappropriateness  Depression Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Bladder and Bowel Function  Common during acute phase  Often implement a toileting schedule  Urinary retention controlled with catheterization  Can often lead to embarrassment, isolation or depression Concorde Career College

Primary Impairments

 Hemispheric Behavioral Differences  • • • •

Left

Hemispheric Damage Difficulties in communication Difficulty with processing information Cautious, anxious, disorganized Often very aware of impairments  • • • •

Right

Hemispheric Damage Difficulty in spatial-perceptual tasks Difficulty with grasping overall idea of task or activity Quick, impulsive Overestimate their abilities, poor judgment Concorde Career College

General Characteristics of CVA

 Right Hemisphere CVA  Left side weakness or paralysis  Hemianopsia  Decreased awareness and judgment  Memory deficits  Inattention and less reasoning  Emotional labile  Impulsive behaviors Concorde Career College

Characteristics of CVA

 Left Hemisphere CVA  Right side weakness  Aphasia  Motor Apraxia  Dysphagia  Hemianopsia Concorde Career College

Complications & 2˚ Impairments

 Musculoskeletal  Loss of ROM & Contractures  Edema & pain  Disuse atrophy & weakness  Osteoporosis • Fall risk Concorde Career College

Complications & 2˚ Impairments

 Neurological  Seizures  Hydrocephalus – an excessive accumulation of CSF within the cranial cavity  Cardiovascular  Thrombophlebitis/DVT  • Impaired Cardiac Function Impaired cardiac output, decompensation, rhythm disorders • Can restrict exercise/activity tolerance Concorde Career College

Complications & 2˚ Impairments

 Pulmonary  Decreased lung volume  Decreased pulmonary perfusion & vital capacity  Altered chest wall excursion  Greater energy expenditure  Aspiration  Integumentary  Skin breakdown and decubitis ulcer • Pressure, friction, shearing Concorde Career College

Rehabilitation after Stroke

The Role of the PT & PTA Concorde Career College

Acute Phase

 Lo-intensity therapy can begin once stabilized medically.

 Early mobilization  Minimize deconditioning  Functional reorganization is promoted 

Learned nonuse

is minimized  Reinforce a positive outlook  Decreased incidence of depression, apathy and mental deterioration  Early presentation of rehabilitation plan  Monitor for potential medical emergencies !

 Average hospital stay is about 7 days Concorde Career College

Post-Acute Phase

 Triage  Inpatient rehabilitation, TCU, SNF  What other services may be involved with the patient at this time?

 Progression to home care, outpatient PT  Assisting with return to work, recreation, social activities Concorde Career College

PT Examination

    Patient history Levels of Consciousness Communication Cognitive, emotional and behavioral states  Cranial Nerve Integrity  Sensory Integrity  Perception  Tone/Reflexes  Joint Integrity & Mobility  Voluntary Movement patterns  Strength  Postural control &   balance Ambulation & Functional mobility Functional status Concorde Career College

Gait after a Stroke

The PTA Assessment

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VIDEO

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMzVywpbNes& feature=related Concorde Career College

Gait after Stroke

 Important to look at movements occurring at the ankle, foot, knee, hip, pelvis, trunk and UEs.  Observe the different planes of motion  Quantitative measures include distance, time, cadence, velocity, and stride times  What type of AD may be necessary?

 May consider videotaping Concorde Career College

Trunk/Pelvis

 Stance Phase  • • Forward trunk 2˚ Weak hip extension Flexion contracture  Swing Phase  • ↓ forward pelvic rotation 2˚ Weak abdominal mm  Leaning towards the stronger side to clear the weaker side foot from the floor OR  • Backward leaning of trunk Both may be due to weak hip flexors Concorde Career College

Hip

 Substitutions as a result of inadequate hip flexion:  Hip hiking • Weak abdominal mm and inadequate knee flexion may also contribute to this  Circumduction • ↑ extensor tone, ↑ PF tone or foot drop as well as inadequate knee flexion may also contribute to this  External rotation/adduction  May see the opposite, exaggerated hip flexion • Flexor synergy Concorde Career College

Knee

 Stance Phase  • Excessive knee flexion 2˚ Flaccid or weak LE, especially hip & knee extensors • • • Poor PPC Flexion contracture Ankle DF range past neutral  • • • • • Hyperextension of knee 2˚ ↑ extensor tone of LE Quadricep spasticity Weakness of gluteus maximus, hamstrings and quads PF contracture past 90˚ Impaired PPC Concorde Career College

Knee

 Swing Phase  • • • ↓ Knee flexion 2 ˚ ↑ LE extensor tone, spastic quadriceps Inadequate hip flexion and poor foot clearance Circumduction or hiking pattern often seen as a result  • Exaggerated, delayed knee flexion 2˚ Strong flexor synergy  • • • Inadequate knee extension at initial stance 2˚ Spastic hamstrings Sustained total flexor pattern Weak knee extensors

Ankle/Foot

 Stance Phase  Equinus gait – heel does not touch down • Spastic or contracture of gastrocnemius  Varus foot – weight is on the lateral side of the foot • Spastic tibialis anterior, posterior tibialis, toe flexors, soleus  Unequal step length • Hammer toes can cause pain with WB and prevent a full step forward with opposite leg • Increased flexor tone in toe muscles • Lack of DF ROM on affected side Concorde Career College

Ankle/Foot

 Swing Phase  Persistent equinus or varus or a combination of the 2 (equinovarus) • Weak dorsiflexors may contribute to this in addition to spastic muscles  Exaggerated DF 2˚ strong flexor synergy pattern Concorde Career College

Intervention

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Strategies to Improve Sensory Function

 Encourage use of the affected side!!

 Training should focus on functional tasks  Examples:  Stroking skin with various fabrics  Drawing shapes, letters onto the skin of affected side  Approximation  Inflatable pressure splints  Patient and family/caregivers must be educated on impairments as well as safety measures to protect the involved limbs Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Sensory Function

 With unilateral neglect, incorporate strategies that encourage awareness and use of the body on the involved side  Visual scanning  Cueing (visual, verbal or motor cues)  Imagery  Visual focus on the affected arm or leg during activity  Bilateral tasks  Tactile input given by the therapist to the involved limb  Patient may require reorientation Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Flexibility and Joint Integrity

 Early ROM daily  UE  PROM of shoulder important for reaching and overhead movements • Careful attention to mobilize the scapula on the thoracic wall, maintain upward rotation and protraction  Maintain full elbow extension, wrist and finger ROM  Self UE ROM may include arm cradling, table-top polishing, supine AAROM with intact UE clasping the affected UE Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Flexibility and Joint Integrity

 Effective UE positioning is important  Lap tray or arm trough  5˚ shoulder ABD & FLEX, neutral rotation, 90˚elbow FLEX & slightly forward, forearm pronated, functional hand position Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Flexibility and Joint Integrity

 Volar resting (pan) splint  Functional  20 30˚ wrist extension  40 45˚ MP flexion  10 20˚ IP flexion  Thumb opposition Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Flexibility & Joint Integrity

 LE ROM  Often see limited ankle DF • Incorporate weight bearing encouraging DF by performing forward weight shifts or using adaptive equipment (tilt board, foot rocker)  Pay careful attention to hip flexor and knee flexion contraction with prolonged sitting in wheelchair  ROM in opposition to spasticity (if present) should also be performed daily Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Strength

 <3/5 Strength  Therapist assisted exercise  Powder board  Sling suspension  Aquatic Exercise  3/5 Strength  Gravity resisted exercises  >3/5 Strength  Free weights  Bands  Machines Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Strength

 Important to combine strengthening and function  Wearing ankle weights while performing step ups or stair climbing  Reaching exercises while wearing wrist weights • Secondary postural stabilization occurs with this type of exercise  Resisted walking with Theraband taut at waist level  Sit to stand with resistance given at shoulders by therapist Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Strength

 Safe Exercise Prescription  Exercise is contraindicated with HTN & recent stroke  With HTN – avoid high-intensity & isometric exercises • Concentric & eccentric exercises are less stressful for the cardiovascular system • Sitting exercises less risk for increasing blood pressure as compared to supine exercises  Proper warm-up & cool down are important, better to begin with LE exercises first Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Strength

 Need to carefully monitor:  BP  HR  Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)  Breathing (avoid breath holding & Valsalva)  Patient needs to be educated to monitor HR and RPE as well as warning signs to stop exercises Concorde Career College

Strategies to Manage Spasticity

 Early mobilization  Prolonged stretching  Examples:  Rhythmic rotation  Slow rocking movements over limb in an elongated, weight bearing position  PNF upper trunk patterns can ↓ trunk tone  Activation of the antagonist muscles using slow & controlled movements  May need to use facilitation techniques Concorde Career College

Strategies to Manage Spasticity

 Modalities to reduce spasticity  Cold (ice wraps, ice packs)  Estim to the antagonist  Vibration  May incorporate air splints  Can use soothing verbal commands/relaxation techniques or imagery Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Initial Movement

 Initially focus on normal postural alignment as well as control and functional use of extremities  Strategies should address

selective dissociation

and (out-of-synergy) movement patterns  Reinforce slow, controlled, “normal” movements  May progress postures to optimize movements  Example: shoulder flexion in supine, sitting and then standing  Assistance may initially be provided but then progress to active, independent movements Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Initial Movement Control

 When addressing function, consider practicing eccentric contractions before concentric  Eccentric contraction are more efficient  Can gradually progress to a variety of activities that use all 3 types of contractions Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Motor Learning

 Strategy Development  Critical tasks, goals and outcomes are identified  Begin practice, may practice components of the task before practice of the whole task  Important to move towards whole task to allow for transfer of learning  Practicing with less affected side first may also assist with transfer effects  Clear, simple verbal instruction should be given  • Patient needs to be active in problem solving i.e., Can the patient identify components performed incorrectly Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Motor Learning

 Feedback  Can be extrinsic or intrinsic  During early motor learning, more likely to use extrinsic feedback • Mirrors, verbal cues or manual cueing from therapist  Patient’s attention should be geared towards recognizing intrinsic and developed more as therapy progresses • Patient should “feel the movement”  Important to avoid bombardment of feedback and limit immediate feedback Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Motor Learning

 Practice, Practice and more Practice  May initially be limited by endurance  Need to encourage variable practice in order to progress  Ensure the environment is conducive to learning • Eventually can progress to a more open, real-life environment  Motivation is important • Patient should be involved in goal setting • Treatment session should be positive • Therapist needs to be a support system, encouraging Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Rolling  Practice rolling to both sides  Rolling to affected side more difficult  Clasp hands together to assist with momentum and use of the affected UE  Can bend the LE’s to assist with pushing over  Sidelying on affected side promotes WB of the affected UE Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Sit to Supine/Supine to Sit  Important to practice towards both sides  Will likely be easier to perform from non-involved side  Therapist may initially facilitate/assist movements Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Sitting  Initially looking for symmetrical posture with proper spinal alignment  Early sitting may involve therapist cueing (tactile &/or verbal)  May use UE’s initially to maintain sitting posture  Progress to no UE support, weight shifting, truncal motions, PNF patterns, reaching/dynamic activities, perturbations, scooting  Progression may then include these same activities while sitting on a ball Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Bridging  Develops hip and trunk extensor control as well as LE selective control & early LE WB  Can progress from performing the exercise, holding the position and then performing dynamic activities within the posture Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Sit to Stand (STS)  Focus on symmetrical WB, coordination & timing 

(Demonstration of proper sit to stand)

 Strategies to initiate STS: • Clasp hands or reaching forward with UE’s • Place pt hands on ball while therapist stabilizes ball but then move ball forward to promote anterior weight shift • Raise the mat height • Place stronger foot slightly behind the weaker Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Sit Down Transfers  Strategies to promote controlled sit down include: • Partial wall squats • Varying mat height • Lateral pelvic shifts to involved side and alternate sit/stand Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Standing, Modified Plantigrade  Standing with affected UE extended and in weightbearing position, LE also extended  Assists with development of postural and extremity control  Very stable position  Can progress from static standing to movement and reaching activities Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Standing  Initially standing can occur in parallel bars or at bedside with assist  Progression can include: • 2 hand support → 1 hand support → free standing • Static standing → weight shift → dynamic (reaching, stepping) → perturbations/rhythmic stabilization  Focus on proper alignment and symmetry Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Transfers  Need to practice transfers to both sides  Important to support the weaker knee  Vary surfaces and surface heights  May progress from squat-pivot to stand-pivot Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility

 Pusher Syndrome  Focus is on the vertical  Can use mirrors, the wall, a ball, or even the therapist to assist with active, appropriate shifting rather than pushing  Ask the patient, “Which way are you leaning?”; “Which direction should you move to be vertical?” Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 UE as a Postural Support  Extended UE weightbearing promotes proximal stabilization and counteracts flexion synergy, hypertonus  Approximation can stimulate shoulder girdle stabilization and elbow extensors  Can perform in sitting, modified plantigrade, standing and quadruped  Progress from holding the position to more dynamic activities Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Reaching  Can begin with positions which eliminate gravity • Sidelying, tabletop assist, “dusting” with washcloth, reaching down to touch the floor • May also need therapist assist  Progress to anti-gravity activites  Combine with balance & functional activities  Vary height/distance to reach, weight of object grasped, time to complete the task  Avoid substitution Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Manipulation & Dexterity  Initial tasks usually involve more gross grasp and release  Can begin by using affected hand to stabilize while performing a task with stronger hand  Progress to bilateral activities, emphasize function/ADLs  Include reaching activities  Build-ups for items such as forks, toothbrush, pens can improve independence and efficiency Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Enhanced Training Activities  Bilateral arm training w/ rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy2qzvDa-Fc

Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Enhanced Training Activities  Constrain-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)  Electromyographic Feeback (EMG-BFB)  Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Management of Shoulder Pain  Common complication post stroke  In the case of flaccidity, arm needs support at all times  Proper arm support is essential  Scapula/shoulder protracted, arm forward in slight ABD and neutral ROT  ↓ subluxation – NMES, supportive devices  ↓ Pain, normalize tone – gentle stretching & mobilization, cryotherapy, EMG BFB, relaxation training  Adhesive capsulitis treated with mobilization, PROM and ultrasound  Avoid trauma or traction injuries with functional mobility Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Supportive Devices  Slings  Pros and Cons Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve UE Function

 Supportive Devices (Gillen)  Consider using slings only with initial transfer and gait training  Determine whether a sling that places the arm in flexion is really necessary, if so consider wearing only for short periods of time  Selection of a sling is on an individual basis  Consider alternatives: NMES, taping, hand in pocket/belt, lap tray Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve LE Function

 Necessary to prepare for appropriate gait  Helpful to start with improving pelvic control  Can practice forward pelvic rotation in sidelying, supine, hooklying, kneeling, sitting on ball, standing  Break synergistic patterns  Example: hip extension is paired with knee flexion to allow toe-off during terminal stance/pre-swing  Activities to promote this include: bridging, supine hip extension with knee flexed and heel pressing into the floor or standing and repeatedly practicing this phase of walking Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve LE Function

 Avoiding hyperextension of the knee  Activities to promote this control include: controlled heel slides in supine and sitting, partial wall squats, controlled flexion and extension of knee on leg press, terminal knee extension exercises with Theraband in standing Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve LE Function

 Important to progress activities by modifying postures  Example:  Supine → Sitting → Kneeling → Standing  And… emphasize reduction of synergistic patterns Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Balance

 Important to select appropriate exercises, challenging to the patient but does not compromise safety  Must first achieve postural alignment and static stability in upright postures  Can then progress to exploring limits of stability  Weight shifting  Encouraging symmetrical weight bearing  Encouraging weight bearing to more affected side Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Balance

 Examples:  Vary the BOS  Vary the support surface  Vary sensory inputs  Vary UE position/support  Vary UE movement  Vary LE movement  Vary trunk movements  Incorporate dynamic functional activities  Incorporate dual tasks  Change the environment Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Balance

 Strategies  • • Ankle Small A/P weight shifting or small perturbations Standing on rocker board, foam roller, dynadisc  • • Hip Larger A/P weight shifts or perturbations Tandem stance promote medial-lateral strategies • Standing on floor or foam roller  • • • Stepping Displacement of COM in all directions Therapist can apply a band around waist Step ups Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Balance

 Need full attention from patient (and therapist!)  Provide well-timed feedback  Minimize hand support  Encourage active problem-solving  Safety education must be included Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Gait training  Initially parallel bars & assistive devices can be used • Pros & Cons  Important to progress patient to least restrictive device or no device as able  Want to encourage even, longer step length and increased time • May use rhythmic auditory cues OR • Markers on the floor with tape Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Look at each phase of gait  Stance Phase • Initial weight acceptance • Midstance control • Forward weight advancement  Swing Phase • Knee and foot control for toe clearance • Foot placement  UE posturing Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Vary the environment  Community walking, hiking trails, hills  Practice walking in all directions  Forward, backward, sideways  Practice cross-stepping  Include stairs, curbs, step-over-step  Include timing activities  Crossing the street, using escalators, elevators and automatic doors Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Practice dual-task activities  Talking, bouncing a ball, carrying a tray  Incorporate balance activities  Tandem walking, walking on foam/gravel/grass  Treadmills, cycle ergometers  These tools may assist with improving time and reciprocity of the LEs Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Body weight support systems  Limb load monitors  NMES to improve ankle DF Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Orthotics AFO Knee Controls Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Locomotion

 Wheelchairs  Appropriate position  • • • Types: Hemi height wheelchair (Seat to floor height is 17.5”) One arm drive chair Power wheelchair  • • • • Training activities Proper use, maintenance and safety Methods of propulsion Level and varied surfaces Transfers Concorde Career College

Strategies to Improve Aerobic Function

 Initial Phase: functional activities are sufficient  Post-Acute Phase: may progress to treadmill, stationary bicycle  Carefully monitor VS & symptoms of exertional intolerance, impending stroke or heart attack  Choose method based on patient’s interest  Suggested frequency is 3X/week for 20-60 minutes  May be daily at lower intensities  Recommend starting with intermittent training and progressing to continuous 30 minutes of exercise Concorde Career College

Questions

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