Recovery of resistance after stroke

Studies show that almost 40% of stroke survivors experience at least 1 major fall in the first year after the stroke. More often, it happens during dressing or taking off clothes, and mostly (in 7 times more often) this occurs among women.

The patients suffering from disorders of the vestibular system, dizziness and impaired coordination fall into a risk group of injury due to a possible fall. Therefore, in this case it is highly recommended to not postpone the rehabilitation of dysfunctions after a stroke.

In addition to the vestibular system, vision and somatosensory functions are also involved in the maintenance of a stable body position. The vestibular system, in its turn, includes the regions of the brain and the organs of the peripheral nervous system, which are connected to the central nervous system by the vestibular nerve.

Diagnostics

The effects of a stroke can be damages to the central nervous system: damage to the brain stem manifests as impaired functioning of the vestibular system. To accurately detect the damages, the Neuroreha.ru Rehabilitation Center uses special equipment, which consists of a mobile platform, sensors that read the activity of the patient's brain and software monitoring and analyzing the movement of the platform. The use of such a diagnostic device can reveal the dysfunction of the nervous system, as well as identify the groups of muscles that require strengthening.

Therapy

The loss of stability can often be caused by weak muscles on one side of the body. In this case, it is necessary to take measures to restore the motor function of the damaged side of the body. For these purposes, specialists can use various methods of physiotherapy, sets of exercises, induced restriction method. In addition to the classes that are provided in the rehabilitation center, the patient is trained in sets of exercises that achieve even greater results while doing independent work.

Regarding damages to the vestibular system, in addition to physiotherapy, doctors can prescribe specific programs aimed at the speedy restoration of lost abilities. An example can be the exercises, in which the patient focuses on the subject while simultaneously executing the movements with the head.

In the case of partial vision loss, the patient is prescribed a program, which will help them to learn to make the most of the vision using the healthy eye.

Neuroreha.ru is equipped with special rooms including a movable floor, which can take a different shape. With this approach, the patient's body uses various mechanisms to maintain a stable position, so that it will be possible to achieve a comprehensive improvement of various functions. There are soft covers, special handrails to provide safety for the patients. Also, an assistant is on duty to monitor the patient and ensure the exercises are done correctly.

In some cases, corrective surgical interventions are performed (some patients are not stable on their feet due to the impaired biomechanics caused by partial paralysis of the limbs, sometimes it can lead to serious falls, which can be avoided only with surgical correction).

How to prevent a fall?

The following measures will help reduce the risk of falling in stroke survivors. Practice shows that more than 60% of falls occur when these precautions have not been fulfilled.

• It is necessary to ensure the use of lights, so that dark, patients have well lit paths,
• Pay attention to the availability of switches of these lights,
• Use of special anti-slip coating mats in the bathroom, it is advisable to equip a special chair to avoid taking a shower standing,
• It is better for the patient to move around the house in the comfortable shoes, but not in socks,
• Ensure that the most needed items are to be kept at a convenient height for the patient,
• Check if any medical prescription (for example, in the treatment of acute respiratory disease) include dizziness as a side effect,
• if the patient has felt an attack of dizziness while in a standing / sitting position, it is necessary to sit / keep the position until the end of the attack,
• Be friendly with the patient, show that you are always ready to help him/her,
• The patient should not be in a hurry under any circumstances.

Here you can also learn more about other methods:

• Correction of the adaptation system
• Vibration massage in neurorehabilitation
• Hydromassage in rehabilitation after a stroke

For further information on recovery after a stroke in Germany
Please call us +49 228 972 723 72 or fill in the request form.