Rehabilitation principles

Rehabilitation principles

Rehabilitation principles

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Rehab Principles - Get Moving, Brain!

  • Core Goal: Harness neuroplasticity-the brain's ability to rewire. Early and intensive therapy is key.
  • Multidisciplinary Team: Physical Therapy (PT) for motor function, Occupational Therapy (OT) for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) for communication/swallowing.
  • Key Principles: Task-specific, repetitive, high-intensity, and goal-oriented training to prevent "learned non-use."

Neuroplasticity and microglial changes after stroke

Critical Window: The most significant motor recovery typically occurs within the first 3-6 months post-stroke, emphasizing the urgency of early, intensive rehabilitation.

The Rehab Team - Meet the Crew

  • Physiatrist (Rehab Physician): Team leader; creates the overall rehab plan.
  • Physical Therapist (PT):
    • Focus: Gross motor skills (walking, balance, transfers).
  • Occupational Therapist (OT):
    • Focus: Fine motor skills & Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
    • Tasks: Dressing, eating, bathing, adaptive equipment.
    • 📌 Mnemonic: OT = Occupations of daily living.
  • Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP):
    • Manages aphasia (language) and dysphagia (swallowing).
  • Social Worker/Case Manager:
    • Coordinates discharge planning, insurance, and community resources.

⭐ The SLP's swallow evaluation is critical. Aspiration pneumonia from unrecognized dysphagia is a major cause of post-stroke mortality.

Deficit Management - Fixing the Glitches

  • Core Principle: Neuroplasticity

    • Brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural connections.
    • Harness through repetitive, task-specific practice.
  • Motor Deficits (Hemiparesis/Hemiplegia)

    • Physical Therapy (PT): Focus on gait, balance, strength, and mobility.
    • Occupational Therapy (OT): Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) retraining (e.g., dressing, eating).
    • Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT): Restrain unaffected limb to force use of the affected limb.
  • Speech & Language (Aphasia)

    • Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) consult is key.
    • 📌 BEAM Mnemonic: Broca's Expressive Aphasia (Broken speech), Motor; Wernicke's Receptive Aphasia (Word salad), Sensory.
  • Cognitive & Perceptual

    • Neglect Syndrome: (Usually right parietal lobe) Patient ignores one side of space. Address with visual scanning exercises.
    • Apraxia: Inability to perform learned movements on command.

High-Yield Fact: Post-stroke depression is common (~33% of survivors) and can significantly impede rehabilitation progress. Screen and treat aggressively.

Broca's and Wernicke's Areas in the Brain

Complication Prevention - Dodging Dangers

  • VTE Prophylaxis:
    • Early mobilization is crucial.
    • Pharmacologic prevention (LMWH/heparin) for non-ambulatory patients.
  • Aspiration Pneumonia:
    • Perform a bedside swallow screen before any oral intake.
    • Consult speech therapy for diet modification.
  • Pressure Ulcers:
    • Reposition patient every 2 hours.
    • Utilize pressure-reducing mattresses.
  • Contractures:
    • Initiate passive and active range-of-motion exercises.
    • Apply splints in functional positions.

⭐ In immobile stroke patients, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is a priority and should be started immediately unless active hemorrhage is present.

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Early and intensive mobilization is crucial to prevent complications and improve functional outcomes.
  • Task-specific training, like Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), promotes neuroplasticity.
  • Manage spasticity with physical modalities, botulinum toxin, or baclofen to improve motor function.
  • Speech and language therapy is essential for aphasia; address both expressive and receptive deficits.
  • For hemispatial neglect, encourage visual scanning exercises and environmental modifications.
  • Screen for and treat post-stroke depression as it significantly impacts recovery.

Practice Questions: Rehabilitation principles

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 68-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her husband because of acute confusion and sudden weakness of her left leg that lasted for about 30 minutes. One hour prior to admission, she was unable to understand words and had slurred speech for about 15 minutes. She has type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. She has smoked 1 pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years. Current medications include metformin and hydrochlorothiazide. Her pulse is 110/min and irregular; blood pressure is 135/84 mmHg. Examination shows cold extremities. There is a mild bruit heard above the left carotid artery. Cardiac examination shows a grade 2/6 late systolic ejection murmur that begins with a midsystolic click. Neurological and mental status examinations show no abnormalities. An ECG shows irregularly spaced QRS complexes with no discernible P waves. Doppler ultrasonography shows mild left carotid artery stenosis. A CT scan and diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain show no abnormalities. Which of the following treatments is most likely to prevent future episodes of neurologic dysfunction in this patient?

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Flashcards: Rehabilitation principles

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Do patients with health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance plans require PCP referral for specialist visits?_____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Do patients with health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance plans require PCP referral for specialist visits?_____

Yes

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