STROKE-MOBILITY INTERVENTIONS, TASK SPECIFIC TRAINING
SUMMARY
1. Stroke rehabilitation should be task-specific wherever possible and practical.
2. Functional reorganization of cortex is greater for tasks that are meaningful to the animal; repetitive activity is inadequate.
3. A Cochrane review by French et al. found that repetitive task-specific training significantly improved walking distance (9 studies), functional ambulation (8 studies), and lower limb function (5 studies) for up to six months, regardless of stroke onset, treatment dosage, or intervention type[1]
.
4. In stroke rehabilitation, task-specific training principle is practiced in mobility training and has been shown to improve gait speed and endurance.
5. Task-specific training is performed via actual over-the ground walking, and can be incorporated in circuit class therapy.
Reference(s)
- ↑ French, B., Thomas, L. H., Coupe, J., McMahon, N. E., Connell, L., Harrison, J., . . . Watkins, C. L. (2016). Repetitive task training for improving functional ability after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 11, Cd006073.
Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.
