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Stroke therapy benefits linger for patients

Rehab Regs, March 26, 2004

Stroke patients who get stimulation therapy on their paralyzed arm shortly after their brain attack see the positive effects of increased movement for at least five years, according to Belgian researchers. HealthDayNews reports that the study included 100 stroke patients randomly assigned to 30 minutes of sensorimotor stimulation of the affected arm each day for six days. These patients also received additional rehab by sitting in a rocking chair with their affected arm held in place on the arm of the chair with a splint. This forced the patient to use their arm to rock the chair, causing muscle contractions in the shoulder. With this therapy, the beneficial effect was maintained over five years. Additionally, the patients who were most severely affected by their stroke showed the greatest benefit over time.

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