Motor Imagery: Ischemic Stroke

Most exercise is designed for neurorehabilitation, not cardiovascular health, so there is a very different definition for stroke patient exercise, as well as a very different goal set. Because strokes affect each person differently, treatment is also specific to the individual. The literature included in this review focuses on three different methods of exercise, each with very specific goals in mind. Cabanas-Valdés and collegues study was on Core and Trunk stability, Minyoung describes use of Virtual Reality enhanced exercise for treatment, and Tutak introduces the concepts behind Rehabilitation

A stroke can be generally be defined in two types of categories. The first and most common type of stroke is called ischemic stroke. This occurs when a blood clot (cerebral thrombosis) blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Blood flow beyond the blood clot is then

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability and patients face multiple challenges, such as weakness/paralysis on one side of the body, social disability, inability to walk and self-care, the decline in community participation, and the decline in cognitive and emotional functioning. These challenges impede them from independently performing their daily activities related to work, school, parenting, or leisure. Evidence Based Practice shows that the best way to treat individuals with stroke is through the use of the mental practice. Mental practice is a training method during which a person cognitively rehearses a physical skill in the absence of overt, physical movements for the purpose of enhancing motor skill performance. It is a practice

There are numerous approaches to stroke rehabilitation, some of which are still in the early stages of development. Behavioral performance in any area, such as sensory-motor and cognitive function, is most likely to improve when motor activity is willful, repetitive and task specific.

A stroke is a condition which is characterised as loss of brain functioning due to an interruption in the blood flow to the brain (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 5). There are two types of strokes, ischaemic and hemorrhagic strokes (Buzzard, 2013, pg. 6). Ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). This type of stroke occurs due to an insufficient flow of blood to the brain, which is usually caused by an artery blockage (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). Hemorrhagic strokes are due to hypertension and may be caused by medical problems or blood vessel abnormalities (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013). The strokes severity and location of the brain that is affected determines the impact of the stroke in an individual (Gomes & Wachsman, 2013).(Gomes, 2013)

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect that mental practice would have on learning a sequential task for the lower limb. This was a single case study regarding an individual with a hemiparesis from a stroke. The study took place in a research laboratory of a university-affiliated rehabilitation center. The participant was a 38-year-old man who had suffered a left hemorrhagic subcortical stroke four months prior to the experiment (Jackson, Doyon, Richards, & Malouin, 2004). The subject was required to practice a serial response time task with the lower limb in three distinct training phases over a period of five weeks: two weeks of physical practice, one week of combined physical and mental practice, and then two weeks of mental practice alone (Jackson et al., 2004). The main outcome measure included the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ). The KVIQ includes a series of 10 gestures and is adapted for older patients and patients with motor deficits. In this assessment, the patients rate their ability to elicit mental images of the action on two 5-point scales (5 = high imagery; 1 = low imagery). One scale rates the clarity of the image, and the other rates the intensity at which they can feel themselves performing the movement. Utilizing physical practice alone, the patient’s average response time did improve during the first five days, but then failed to show further improvement during the remaining days of physical practice. The combination of mental and physical practice yielded additional improvement; whereas, the following two weeks of mental practice alone resulted in minimal improvement in performance (Jackson et al., 2004). The findings from this case-study showed that when mental and physical practices are combined,

Ischemic strokes are the most common form of stroke, with around 85% of strokes being of this type. They are caused by the arteries that connect to the brain becoming blocked or narrowed, resulting in ischemia - severely reduced blood flow.

A stroke occurs when there is a disruption of blood flow within the brain. A stroke can occur in two ways, one is a blood clot forming which can block a vessel in the brain causing an ischemic stroke. Another way is having a leakage or burst in a blood vessel inside the brain, causing a brain bleed (hemorrhagic stroke). The population stroke most often affects are the African American, Alaska Native, and American Indian populations. Individuals with specific risk factors may also be at a greater risk of getting a stroke. These risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, smoking, and family history. There is no specific age of onset for stroke, but the risk of a stroke occurring does increase as an individual gets older.

(2013). The efficacy of SMART Arm training early after stroke for stroke survivors with severe upper limb disability: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Neurol 2; 13:71.

Five participants with acute stroke and unilateral hemiparesis (Age 51 ± 17 years; Height 1.7 ± 0.1m; Weight 81.6 ± 3.6kg; LOS 36 ± 24.6 days; 3 males, 2 females; 2 with right hemiplegia) were recruited for RE gait training during inpatient rehabilitation in conjunction with traditional therapy. Participant inclusion requirements: have a medical clearance, upright standing tolerance (≥30 min), intact skin, physically fit into the device, have joint range of motion within normal functional limits for ambulation, have had stroke with its onset >1 week and 0.05). This may suggest that the RE was limited to rehabilitate muscles during the IDS and swing phases as seen in figures (6-8).

Did you know that Stroke is one of the leading health problems in America? A stroke is often called a “brain attack” and it occurs when blood flow to a certain area of the brain is cut off. The brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, and then they die. If a stroke is not caught early enough, permanent brain damage and sometimes-even death can occur. Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, and many survivors experience either a weakening on their left or right side of their body. This weakening can result in decreased mobility, a decrease in social interaction and participation, and an increase in depression. Aerobic exercise has been shown to play a key role in neuroplasticity and motor recovery after someone experiences a stroke. The objective of the main article uses two different types of aerobic exercises and tries to understand how the exercises affect motor recovery post stroke.

Approximately 7 million Americans over the age of 20 have had a stroke, remaining one of the major causes of disability in the world (Adams, 2015). Relearning of upper limb movement post acquired brain injuries is essential to improving quality of life and occurs through taking advantage of the neuroplasticity of the brain through rehabilitation. Virtual Reality (VR) simulations can be used as a way to create an environment that motivate patients to work longer, harder, and more frequently in order to solve motor control problems. VR simulations as interventions for upper extremity training create an opportunity for functional task completion, allow for problem solving, and require adaptation to change, following the task-oriented approach.

The most common form of stroke is the ischemic. An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot causes a blockage in one of the brain’s blood vessels.

It is common for patients to create learned non-utilization of their weaker arm. Study shows about demonstrates the serious rehashed undertaking work on utilizing the weaker arm can enhance both the measure of utilization and nature of development prompting enhanced capacity and independence. Limitation induced development treatment depends on learned non-utilize which creates amid beginning times following a stroke as the patients acquaint with adjust for trouble utilizing the impaired extremities by expanding dependence of the in-place

Stroke is a common, serious and global health care problem; it’s the third most common cause of death and first cause of adult disability (12). The rehabilitation is the major part of his care (13).