New techniques in therapy after a stroke might lead to better motor, sensory, and cognitive recovery, according to a new study that was recently published in the journal, Med.
The study indicates that electrostimulation can be used to target specific muscles that can be of benefit when physical therapy is being undertaken. A stroke can impact bodily sensations in different ways. Some people report difficulty moving a limb, while others can misperceive what their limb is doing. For example, someone might perceive an arm as being much shorter than it actually is. As you can imagine, this can exacerbate some of the physical difficulties that make stroke recovery possible.
But according to the recently published article, electrostimulation combined with physical therapy can make these things a little bit better. The new procedure was evaluated on 45 different patients and saw a good deal of success. Overall, the observed patients reported reduced perception dissociation in their impacted limbs. Recovery even continued after physical therapy was ended thanks to the neurological elements of this type of treatment. This was determined through observations before, during and after the observed therapy time.
The team was based out of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne. And while the team did find a good amount of success, according to their recently published paper, there is a lot of work to do in order to make techniques like this become widely and commonly used. Hopefully, more research along these lines will be done to help make stroke recovery easier across the board. This is a step in the right direction toward making this happen.
A stroke is a life changing event. There is no doubt about that. But what happens next can have a profound impact on the rest of someone’s life. Getting the right care and treatment after a stroke can often be the difference between a slow path to recovery and permanent disability. There are other factors to consider besides care, such as the severity of the stroke and how long before the person received medical attention once the stroke began. But the quality of care that the person receives afterward does make a difference. Access to the right therapy, transportation to and from medical appointments, and assistance around the house to help prevent injury or even detect another health event can all help someone to live a higher quality of life.
That’s why we are such big proponents of in-home care. In-home care offers someone one on one attention, something that other types of senior care often lack. While the quality of care at a nursing home can be wonderful, staff members often are overworked and oversee many residents at a time. In-home care is a bit more personal than this, allowing the caregiver to more adequately meet the needs of the individual.
We would love to talk more with you about how this kind of care might fit in with your family’s life and goals. Please feel free to give us a call or send an email today to get the conversation started.
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