Brunnstrom stages of recovery

[glen22]

She was a Swedish physical therapist emphasising the synergetic pattern of movement which develops during recovery from hemiplegia.
Brunnstrom (1966, 1970) described the process of recovery following stroke-induced hemiplegia. The process was divided into a number of stages:
Synergy - A whole series of muscles are recruited when just a few are needed. Trying to reach forward, The arm wings outward, the shoulder lifts, the wrist curls down. Lots of this is from spasticity

1. Flaccidity (immediately after the onset)
No "voluntary" movements on the affected side can be initiated
2. Spasticity appears
Basic synergy patterns appear
Minimal voluntary movements may be present
3. Patient gains voluntary control over synergies
Increase in spasticity
4. Some movement patterns out of synergy are mastered (synergy patterns still predominate)
Decrease in spasticity
5. If progress continues, more complex movement combinations are learned as the basic synergies lose their dominance over motor acts
Further decrease in spasticity
6. Disappearance of spasticity
Individual joint movements become possible and coordination approaches normal
7. Normal function is restored

I did not receive this style of therapy, I got NDT from Bobath
I found this in a PMR site which has lots more good information.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?indexed=google&rid=physmedrehab.section.726
So ask your therapist which model they follow, Bobath/NDT or brunnstrom, I am now a firm believer in Brunnstrom. i think it allows better recovery since it seems like you are making more progress.
Glen

[mich3733]

My partner has had a stroke which has caused memory loss. Short term.  He is good some days remembering the day before and some days he is not.  He was in the hospital for 6 weeks waiting for a bed in rehabilitation. He has just been checked in as of Thursday last week.  He can walk talk shave eat feed himself as if he were a person who has never had a stroke.  He suffers from short term memory loss.  Will there be a recovery of that to be able to work.  Or will he never be able to function in a normal environment.  I have family members saying this is reality.  He will never be able to be alone.  Is this true.  Is there recovery of memory over time. 6-9-12 months.  I know it is early on.  But can someone share an inspiring story with me.   Please.

[nagrajjain]

How about restoration of memory. Which model will work best. My wife'stemporary memory is impaired. As a cosequence she has become emotional. She asks very frequently for things and questions again and again. Shedoes not remember if she has eaten. Loss of memory problem how to be tackled? Please help. My wifes physical capacity to walk has been restored. After six months of stroke this problem about loss of memery developed. It is called vascular dementia. It may also be delirium in medical terms. Stroke was ischmec. No other damage was done. Very mild stroke.

[irshad1478]

because cortex has more influence on flexor compartment than extensor. once cortex is involved, the involvement will be more significant where it had more influence.

[naaz144]

hi,
why wrist extensor and evertors dont participate in synergy pattern as desccribed by brunnstrom