Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 2-5, 2005

New Approaches to Enhance Motor Function of the Upper Limb in Patients with Hemiparesis

  • Mindy F. Levin, PT, PhD

      Affiliations

    • School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests and correspondence to: Dr. Mindy F. Levin, Physical Therapy Program, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, 3654 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1Y5, Canada
    • ,
  • Nadine K. Musampa, PT

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    • ,
  • Amy K. Henderson

      Affiliations

    • Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    • ,
  • Luiz A. Knaut, PT

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Received 29 August 2005; accepted 29 August 2005.

Article Outline

Abstract 

A common finding in patients with hemiparesis due to stroke is that they may use altered movement strategies to perform functional arm and hand movements. Altered movement strategies may be considered compensatory if they substitute the movements that are impaired at the behavioural level and yet lead to the accomplishment of the task at the functional level. Motor compensation may be maladaptive in that it may limit recovery of pre-morbid movement patterns. Studies in patients with stroke suggest that, given optimal training strategies and environments, behavioural recovery (re-appearance of pre-morbid movement patterns) may occur even in patients with chronic hemiparesis. On the other hand, it has also been shown that non-guided therapy may lead to the reinforcement of compensatory movements. The challenge facing rehabilitation professionals is to create optimal training environments based on current notions of plasticity and re-organisation in the central nervous system to maximise behavioural and functional recovery.

Key words:  stroke , arm movement , compensation , recovery , virtual reality

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PII: S1013-7025(09)70052-1

doi:10.1016/S1013-7025(09)70052-1

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal
Volume 23, Issue 1 , Pages 2-5, 2005

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