The Modified Ashworth Scale is considered the primary clinical measure of muscle spasticityInvoluntary muscle tightness and stiffness that can occur after a stroke. It is characterized by exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that interfere with muscular activity, gait, movement, or speech. Spasticity can increase initially but wane down later on, after stroke. in patients with neurological…

The Tardieu Scale and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) are clinical measures of muscle spasticityInvoluntary muscle tightness and stiffness that can occur after a stroke. It is characterized by exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that interfere with muscular activity, gait, movement, or speech. Spasticity can increase initially but wane down later on, after stroke. for use with…

Aquatic interventions are considered applicable to post-stroke rehabilitation as the properties of water support the effects of exercise on recovery. An early Cochrane review (Merholz, Kugler & Pohl, 2011) that looked at the effect of water-based exercise on activitiesAs defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, activity is the performance of a…

Robot-assisted upper extremity training consists of repetitive practice of goal-directed exercises and activitiesAs defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, activity is the performance of a task or action by an individual. Activity limitations are difficulties in performance of activities. These are also referred to as function. of the upper extremities using…

Mirror therapy is a type of motor imagery whereby the patient moves his unaffected limb while watching the movement in a mirror; this in turn sends a visual stimulus to the brain to promote movement in the affected limb. Some of the effects of mirror therapy on the brain have already been demonstrated. A crossover…

Task-oriented training involves practicing real-life tasks (such as walking or answering a telephone), with the intention of acquiring or reacquiring a skill (defined by consistency, flexibilityThe ability to shift between different thoughts and actions so that when a problem arises, one can draw upon past mistakes and successes and use this knowledge to plan solutions…

Shoulder pain resulting from post-stroke hemiplegiaComplete paralysis of the arm, leg, and trunk on one side of the body that results from damage to the parts of the brain that control muscle movements. Hemiplegia is not a progressive condition, nor is it a disease. can lead to significant disability. Shoulder pain can be caused by…

Electromechanical gaitThe pattern of walking, which is often characterized by elements of progression, efficiency, stability and safety. trainers have been developed as an alternative to conventional gait training methods such as assisted overground walking and treadmill training. Electromechanical gait trainers differ from traditional treadmill training in that the device guides the lower limbs through the…

Functional electrical stimulation (FES), also sometimes called functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS), is a technique used to elicit a voluntary muscle contraction during a functional task by applying low-level electrical current to the nerves that control muscles or directly over the motor end-plate of the muscle (just like a pacemaker makes a heart beat). Neuromuscular electrical…

Bilateral Arm Training (BAT) comprises repetitive practice of bilateral arm movements in symmetrical or alternating patterns. Traditionally, bilateral arm training was performed by linking both hands together so that the less-affected limb facilitated passive movement of the affected limb. Variations of bilateral arm training include bilateral isokinematic training (spatiotemporally identical active movements performed during functional…