Sudden numbness/weakness face, arm, leg, esp on 1 side of body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking/understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss balance/coordination
Sudden severe idiopathic headaches
Sudden nausea, fever (not viral)
Brief LOC or a pd of decreased consciousness
Risk Factors & Stroke Prevention
HBP
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Modifiable
Smoking
Obesity
Lack of Exercise
Diet
Excess Alcohol
Nonmodifiable
Age (> 55)
Gender (W>M)
Race (Af Am)
Family Hx
Early CT to differentiate btwn atherothrombotic & Hemorrhagic stroke
Atherothrombotic-give t-PA, urokinase, or prourokinase to dissolve clot
t-PA can't be given w/hemorrhagic stroke
Pathophysiology
Mgmt Categories
Vascular Syndromes
Classification
Extracranial blood supply to brain
• Extracranial blood supply to brain = provided by R & L ICAs & R & L vertebral arteries
• I internal carotid artery begins at bifurcation of common carotid artery & ascends and the deep portions of neck two carotid canal
• Turns rosteromedially & ascends into cranial cavity
• Then pierces Dura mater & gives off ophthalmic & anterior choroidal arteries b4 bifurcating into middle & anterior cerebral arteries
• Anterior communicating artery communicates with anterior cerebral arteries of either side, giving rise to the rostral portion of circle of Willis
• Vertebral artery arises as branch off subclavian artery & enters ventral foramen of v-bra C6 & travels through foramina of TVP of upper 6 C-v-bra to foramen Magnum & into brain
• Travels and posterior cranial fossa ventrally & medially & unites with vertebral artery from other side to form basilar artery at upper border of Medulla
• At upper border of pons, basilar a. bifurcates to form posterior cerebral arteries & posterior portion of a circle of Willis
• Posterior communicating arteries connect the posterior cerebral arteries with internal carotid arteries & complete the circle of Willis
Etiology (3)
Location
ACA Syndrome
supplies medial aspect of cerebral hemisphere & subcortical structures
b/c anterior communicating a. allows perfusion of prox ACA from either side, occlusion proximal to this=min deficit
Common characteristics: contralateral hemiparesis & sensory loss w/greater involvement of LE b/c the somatotopic org of the medial aspect of the cortex inclds the fnxal area for LE. P. 710 table 18.1
LE INVOLVEMENT
MCA Syndrome
supplies entire lateral aspect of cerebral hemisphere & subcortical structures
Occlusion of proximal MCA=extensive neurological damage w/signif cerebral edema
Common characteristics: Contralateral spastic hemiparesis & sensory loss of face, UE, & LE, w/face & UE > LE; Table 18.2 p. 712
Lesions:
Parieto-occipital cortex of dominant hemisphere (L hem) typically produce Aphasia
R Parietal Lobe of nondominant Hemisphere (R hem) typically produce perceptual deficits: unilat neglect, anosognosia, apraxia, spatial disorg
Homonymous Hemianopsia=common
MOST COMMON SITE OF OCCLUSION IN STROKE
UE INVOLVEMENT
PCA Syndrome
each of the 2 supply the corresponding occipital love; supplies upper brainstem, midbrain, posterior diencephalon
Occlusion proximal to posterior communicating a. typically results in min deficit owing to collateral blood supply from posterior communicating a (sim to ACA syndrome)
Occlusion of thalamic branches may produce hemianesthesia (contralat sensory loss) or central post-stroke (thalamic) pain
Occipital infarction=Homonymous Hemianopsia, visual agnosia, Prosopagnosia or if bilat, cortical blindness
Basal Ganglia involvement (posterior cerebral artery syndrome)=bradykinesia or involuntary movements
Altered Motor Programming
Motor Praxis:
def: ability to plan & execute coordinated movement
Apraxia
caused by lesions of premotor frontal cortex, left inferior parietal lobe , & corpus callosum
more evident in L hemisphere damage than right & commonly seen w/aphasia
difficulty planning & executing purposeful mvmts that can't be accounted for by any other reason
2 MAIN TYPES
Ideational Apraxia
inability of pt to produce mvmt either on command or automatically & reps a complete breakdown in conceptualization of the task
has no idea how to do the mvmt
Ideomotor Apraxia
inability to produce a mvmt on command BUT is able to move automatically
TIPS:
L CVA/R Hemi:
trouble initating movement
Speech is the big thing here
They get really frustrated/agitated b/c they understand and can’t get it out sometimes
Issues w/problem solving
Very aware of impairments
At a drop of a hat can start crying b/c they have difficulty processing
R CVA/ L Hemi:
trouble sustaining movement
With their vision probs, u have to address the issue by using other sensory systems
if pt's spasticity doesn't pose validity issues: MMT, handheld or isokinetic dynamometry etc
Postural Control & Balance
in sitting & standing
Reactive Postural Control & Anticipatory Postural Control
Performance Based Tests
BBS
• 14 functional tasks scored using a 5 point ordinal scale
• Examines unsupported sitting & standing, transfers, functional reach, picking objects off floor, turning, single leg stance & stepping
• Score4 = independent function while a score 0 = unable to perform
• Max score 56
• High intrarater & interrater reliability
Fugl-Meyer Test
• For acute stroke patients
• Includes items of unsupported sitting, standing (with & without support), parachute reactions to both sides, & single limb stance both sides
• Scored using 3 point ordinal scale
Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS)
• Examines postural abilities of acute stroke patients
• 12 items examines sitting & standing without support, standing on paretic LE, & changing posture (supine to affected side, supine to unaffected side, supine to sitting, sitting to standing, & standing at taking a pencil off floor)
• Scored using ordinal scale with descriptors ranging from can’t perform to perform with little help, to perform without help
• Good construct validity; high intrarater & interrater reliability
Others:
Functional Reach Test; Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment--Tinetti (POMA), Timed Up & Go Test, Clinical Test of SEnsory Interaction & Balance; Dynamic Posturography: LOS Test
Ambulation & Functional Mobility
Observational Gait Analysis
Performance-Based Gait Tests=determine gait fnx following stroke incld:
Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance (FMA)
• An impairment-based test with items organized by sequential recovery stages
• Three point ordinal scale measuring impairments of volitional movement with grades ranging from 0 – 2
• Subtests exist for UE & LE fnx, Bal, Sensation, ROM, & Pain
• Total = 226
• Good construct validity & high reliability for determining motor function & balance
• 30-40 mins to administer'
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
• For initial & serial exam of impairments following acute stroke11 item impairment-based test; uses a variable ordinal scale
• Some items scored 0 – 2 or 0 – 3 (level of consciousness, best gaze, visual fields, facial palsy, limb ataxia, sensory, best language, dysarthria, extinction, &inattention) other items scored 0 – 4 (motor arm & motor leg)
Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM)
• Clinical measure of voluntary movements & basic mobility following stroke
• 30 items distributed equally among 3 subscales: UL mvmts, LL mvmt & basic mobility items voluntary movement items explored out of synergy control & scored using 3 point ordinal scale (unable to perform, partial performance, complete performance)
• Basic mobility includes variety of items (rolling, bridging, sit to stand, standing, stepping, walking & spares) & scored using 4 point ordinal scale (unable, partial, complete/with aid, complete/no eight)
• Maximum = 70 w/ea limb subscore worth 20 & fnxal mobility subscore worth 30 pts
• Good construct validity & high reliability
• Been used to dock motor recovery over time & predict discharge destination following stroke
Motor Assessment Scale (MAS)
• Examines functional mobility skills following stroke
• 6 point ordinal scale with descriptors
• 8 items of motor function including the movement transitions (supine to sideline, supine to sit, sit to stand), balanced sitting, walking, upper arm function, hand movements & advanced hand function
• The 9th item = impairment item examining muscle tone
• High reliability & high concurrent validity w/FMA
• Can be used to document motor recovery over time
Goals & Outcomes
PT Interventions
Framework for Intervention
Neurophysiological/Neurodevelopmental Approaches:
Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
PNF
Movement Therapy in Hemiplegia--Brunnstrom Approach
Sensory Stimulation Techniques
Strats to Improve Sensory Fnx
Pt. may have impaired/absent spontaneous movement
Sensory Stimulation=very important for recovery and focuses on restoring sensitivity of more affected extremities & reqs some residual sensory fnx
Stroking; Stretching; Superficial & Deep Pressure; Approximation
IMPORTANT:
Teach active visual scanning movements thru turning head & axial trunk rot to involved side
UE exercises involving crossing midline toward hemiparetic side
Functional activities w/bilat interaction
ie: pour a drink, drink it; pick up object w/involved hand & place in other hand; dust tabletop w/both hands
Max Pt's attn by providing visual, tactile or proprioceptive stimuli to involved side:
Stroking; Brushing; Icing, Vibrating
ie: Put red tape on floor & have pt follow; Place red ribbon on hemiparetic wrist & have pt keep ribbon in sight
Strats to Improve Motor Fnx
Improve Flexibility & Jt Integrity
Soft Tissue/Jt Mob
AROM & PROM w/terminal stretch-all motions daily
UE PROM:
scapula must be mobilized on thoracic wall w/emphasis on upward rot & protraction to prevent subacromial impingement during overhead mvmts & prepare for fwd reach patterns
Lifting free wts or using Therabands during functional activities places added demand for postural stability=important element of training to improve postural control
Concentric or Eccentric exercises can be used
Eccentric =less cardiovascular stress than concentric
Eccentric=greater risk of muscle injury
Manage Spasticity
Interventions:
Early mobilization combo w/elongation of spatic muscles
Sustained Stretch through positioning
ie: shoulder ext, abd, ER ; Elbow, wrist & fingers Ext; positioned in WB 5-10 mins
Begin & End tx session on a pos note & a task the pt is successful in
Improve Postural Control & Functional Mobility
Initial Tx Strat Focus:
Trunk symmetry & use of both sides of body
Functional Training Activity Options:
Rolling
ie: have pt clasp hands together in prayer pos (to not leave involved side lagging behind) & have involved LE assit in rolling by pushing off from a flexed & ADD, hooklying pos.
ie: Roll onto involved side & into sidelying-on-elbow pos=important to promote early WB & elongates lateral trunk flexors (may be spastic)
Supine-to-Sit & Sit-to-Supine
do so from both sides & emphasize rising form involved side
Practice controlled lowering
Sitting
In early sitting: have pt. use UEs for Bilat support on table/TherEx ball
Pt. w/min voluntary control: practice reaching fwd in sidelying where Pt's UE is supported by PT in shoulder flx w/elbow ext. UE is mobilized fwd & Pt. is asked to hold pos.
Pt. in sitting w/hand resting on table & slide hand fwd to recruit shoulder flexors, scap protractors & elbow extensors; Practice polishing table to decrease friction
Substitutions =not allowed
trunk or head lateral movements; excessive shoulder elevation
Manipulation & Dexterity
Voluntary release is gen more difficult to achieve than voluntary grasp, & stretching/positioning and inhibitory techniqs may be necessary to facilitate ext mvmts
ie: Pt. uses involved hand to stabilize (a book, a paper, food) while uninvolved side writes, & cuts the food
Enhanced Training Activities:
Constraint-Induced movement Therapy
assoc w/changes in brain org & include apparent shift in motor cortical activation toward other ipsilat areas & contralesional hemisphere
Bilateral Arm Training With Rhythmic Auditory Cueing (BATRAC)
Chronic Stroke: Repetitive training program utilizing customized bilat arm trainer where pt holds onto T-bar handles & moves them fwd.
Bilat mvmts are timed to an auditory metronome
Signif improvements in fnxal motor performance of weaker UE=sustained 2 mos after training
EMG Biofeedback
allows pts to alter motor unit activity based on augmented audio & visual feedback info
can focus on voluntary inhibition of spastic mm. or on increasing kinesthetic awareness & recruitment of motor units in weak, hypoactive mm.
Best for pts. in chronic stage; results=greatest when used as adjunct to task-specific training
NMES
used to reduce spasticity, improve sensory awareness & volitional limb movements
Mgmt of Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP)
FLACCID STAGE
reduced support & normal seating action of rotator cuff mm (supraspinatus) causing ligs to be sole supporters
Diffuse pain onset: aching throughout limb; 3 Stages p. 753
INTERVENTIONS:
To Reduce Subluxation:
NMES & use of supportive devices
To Normalize tone & Reduce Pain:
Mobs (grade 1-2), Gentle Stretching, Cryotherapy, EMG Biofeedback, Relaxation Training
For Adhesive Capsulitis
Mobs, PROM techniqs & US
Pharmacotherapy
Supportive Devices:
Slings:
• (+) prevent soft tissue stretching & relieve pressure on neurovascular bundle
• (+) appropriate for initial transfer & gait training but overall use should be minimized during rehab
• (-) Do little to reduce subluxation or improve sure function
• (-) positions arm close to body in ADD, IR & elbow flexion
• (-) prolonged use = contractures & increased flexor tone
• (-) impaired trunk mobility, balance, sensory input & body image & may increase the body neglect
• (-) block spontaneous use of the UE & contribute to learned nonuse
Types:
Pouch Sling or Single Strap Hemisling
w/2 cuffs that support elbow & wrist; Provides min mechanical support of humerus
Humeral Cuff Sling
Provides humeral support w/slight ER while allowing elbow ext & may provide some reduction of subluxation
Alternatives to Slings:
Taping/strapping
to facilitate or inhibit musculature surrounding scapula
NMES
Hand positioned in a garment pocket
Pts. in w/c
Arm board/lap tray; lateral elbow guard &/or straps
Improve LE Fnx
Activities to break up obligatory synergy patterns:
PNF LE D1 ext pattern; holding against theraband around upper thighs in supine/standing; Standing, lateral side-steps
Activities that stress Hip Adduction during flexion moments of the hip & knee:
Supine, PNF LE D1 flexion pattern; Sitting, crossing & uncrossing involved LE over uninvolved; Standing, Step-Ups
Activities to promote Knee Flexion w/Hip Ext needed for toe-off @ end of stance:
Bridging; Supine Hip Ext w/Knee Flx over side of mat pushing down thru heel; Standing, Posterior Foot rises
Practice rotation in sidelying; Supine, modified hooklying; Kneeling; or Standing; Sitting on TheEx Ball
For Poor Knee Control: pt. hyperextends when standing
Reciprocal action (smooth reversals of flexion & ext mvmts); First in supine (foot slides in hooklying)-->Sitting (foot slides under chair)-->Partial sitting or partial wall squats in standing
Improve Balance
Ways to increase difficulty by manipulating:
BOS: sitting, LEs uncrossed-->crossed; Standing wide-->narrow-->tandem pos; Standing on 1 LE
Support Surface
Sensory Inputs
UE pos/support: light touch down support; UEs extended out to side -->UEs across chest
UE movements: single UE raise-->Bilat UE raises; reaching; picking objects off table/stool/floor
LE movements: single LE raises, Stepping (fwd-backward, side; step-ups); Marching in place; Foot on ball, moving ball
Trunk Mvmts: head & trunk rotations; Looking up @ ceiling or down to floor
small range ant-post shifts or applying small perturbations @ hips (fwd-backward)
standing on half-foam roller or wobble board
Hip Strategies Promoted via:
larger ant-post shifts or stronger perturbations
Med-Lat hip strats promoted through TANDEM stance (on floor/foam roller)
Stepping Strategies Promoted via:
increased displacements of COM outside BOS
apply Theraband around hips, offer resistance to fwd lean; Once pt achieves desired lean, quickly release resistance =necessitates a step to control balance
Practice Step-Ups (small step to large; foam surface)
Enhanced Training Activities:
Force Platform Biofeedback
biofeedback provided to pt. while standing on computerized force-plate syst ; Pt. practices voluntary mvmt shifts in response to computer generated visual feedback; can also practice responding to unexpected platform tilts (perturbations) to improve reactive bal control
Improvements have been found in steadiness (reduced sway), **Postural Symmetry & **Dynamic Stability ; thus improvements in balance
Limited evidence of carryover of improve bal during functional skills, specifically transfer skills & endurance, functional reach & measures of ADL & mobility
Improve Locomotion
Locomotor Training
walking=primarily a brainstem & spinal cord fnx
ie: locomotor Central Pattern Generators (CPG)=ID'd as existing in the Ventral Spinal Cord while Integrating Command Centers=ID'd in the Medial Medullary Reticular Formation
CNS is responsive to Training-Induced Plastic Changes in locomotor fnx & recovery
Using BWSS & TM
Sullivan et al: TM training @ fast speeds (0.98 m/sec) was more effective @ improving speeds of overground walking than training at slow (0.22 m/sec) or variable speeds
Functional speeds req'd for community ambulation= ~2.8 mph (1.3 m/sec)
Training: 30 mins/day 5 days/wk for 6-12 wks
Gait Training
Gait practice w/overhead harness & PBWS provides least interference w/balance & walking
Encouraged to take even steps
facilitated by use of Rhythmic auditory cues (verbal cues, metronome) & foot markers placed on floor
Critical areas of stance phase control to be addressed:
Initial wt acceptance, Midstance control & Fwd wt advancement during stance on involved limb
During swing: control of knee & foot for toe clearance & foot placement=key reqs
Address persistent posturing of UE in flx & Add
facilitate via positioning
Practice functional, task-specific locomotor skills:
provide biofeedback about amt of loading/WB on hemiparetic limb & effective in improving stance & gait
pt. demonstrate more symmetrical WB & increased stance times on involved LE w/increased swing times on uninvolved LE
NMES
Multichannel FES
uses a program developed from individ profiles of EMG & anthropometrics to stim antag groups of mm.
Orthotics
may be req'd when probs prevent safe ambulation:
inadequate ankle DF during swing; Mediolateral ankle instability; Insufficient push-off during late stance
Foot-Ankle Controls
AFO
to control impaired ankle/foot fnx
Knee Controls
AFO
to control knee instability: adjust pos of ankle: set at 5 deg DF limits knee hyperext whereas set at 5 deg PF decreases flexor moment & stabilizes knee during midstance
pt. w/knee hperext w/o foot/ankle instab:
Swedish Knee Cage to protect knee
KAFO=rarely indicated or successful
Strats to Improve Aerobic Fnx
Pts. benefit from endurance/aerobic training to improve cardiovascular fnx
Early stages: overground walking
Postacute stage: TM walking or stationary cycling
Pts w/bal impairments: TM training or overground walking w/safety harness or recumbent cycle ergometer
Intensity: 40-70% Max O2 uptake
3x/wk for 20-60 mins; can upgrade to daily if lower intensities are used
begin w/intermittent training protocols but can be progressed to 30 mins of continuous exercise
Strats to Improve Feeding & Swallowing
Oral Exercises
Cheek Exercises
Food Presentation: height, distance, w/in visual field