Pusher Syndrome: Difference between revisions

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== Rehabilitation  ==
== Rehabilitation  ==


<br>Karnath and Broetz<ref name="Karnath and Broetz" /> conclude that the first goal of initial rehabilitation is to provide visual feedback of the patient’s altered body posture. Patient’s with Pusher Syndrome typically demonstrate a retained ability to align the longitudinal axis vertically with the help of visual cues. Consequently, visual feedback may be utilised by the use of a mirror or by using ground-vertical structures- ie a therapist’s arm held upright to demonstrate true upright orientation, a line on a wall or a door frame. <br>Although patients with Pusher Syndrome may initially need prompting with the use of visual feedback it is hoped that, with regular therapy, patients are able to apply training procedures independently and utilise their environment for gaining visual feedback from vertical structures<ref name="Karnath, Ferber, Dichgans">(Karnath H-O, Ferber S, Dichgans J. The neural representation of postural control in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2000 ;97:13931–13936.)</ref>.  
<br>Karnath and Broetz <ref name="Karnath and Broetz" /> suggested that the first goal of initial rehabilitation is to provide visual feedback of the patient’s altered body posture. By providing patients with visual information in relation to their environment they are able to feel they are in an erect posture when they see that they are tilted. While in different postural sets patients should be asked whether they see if they are upright and given visual references/ cues to help them orientate themselves to upright and given them feedback about their body orientation. For example by using ground-vertical structures- ie a therapist’s arm held upright to demonstrate true upright orientation, a line on a wall or a door frame. Although patients with Pusher Syndrome may initially need prompting with the use of visual feedback it is hoped that, with regular therapy, patients are able to apply training procedures independently and utilise their environment for gaining visual feedback from vertical structures<ref name="Karnath, Ferber, Dichgans">(Karnath H-O, Ferber S, Dichgans J. The neural representation of postural control in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2000 ;97:13931–13936.)</ref>.  


Abe et al suggetsed that when considering length of rehabilitation stay that laterality and prognosis of pushers syndrome should be considered at the time of goal setting for rehabilitation.<ref name="Abe 2012" /><br>  
Karnath and Broetz suggested from their clinical experience that the following sequence of treatment may be effective in treatment of pushers syndrome:<br>
 
• Enable the patient to realize the disturbed perception of their body position.<br>• Enable the patient to visually explore their surroundings and the body's relationship to their environment and see whether he or she is oriented upright. Reference points can be used such as the therapist's arm or many vertical structures, such as door frames, windows or pillars.<br>• Practicing movements necessary to reach a vertical body position.<br>• Performing functional activities whilst maintaining a vertical body position.<br><br>
 
Abe et al suggetsed that when considering length of rehabilitation stay that laterality and prognosis of pushers syndrome should be considered at the time of goal setting for rehabilitation.<ref name="Abe 2012" /><br>


== Prognosis  ==
== Prognosis  ==

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What is it?[edit | edit source]

A unique presentation of abnormal body posture seen in approximately 5-10% of post-stroke patients [1],[2]. First described by Patricia Davis in 1985[3], ‘Pusher Syndrome’ is a term used to describe the behaviour of individuals using their non-paretic limb to push themselves towards their paretic side. Left unsupported, these patients demonstrate a loss in lateral posture, falling on to their paretic side [4]. Pusher Syndrome is often accompanied by severe inattention and hemisensory impairments [3],[5].

What causes it?[edit | edit source]

Despite the increase in investigation in the causes and symptoms of pushers syndrome it is still a poorly understood presentation. [6] It has been suggested pushers behaviour may be a result of a conflict between an impaired somesthetic perception of vertical, and intact visual system or that it may be a consequence of a high-order disruption of somatosensory information processing from the paretic hemi-body.[6] Patients with pushers syndrome may also have primary visual or visual perceptual problems, impaired proprioception, and motor impairments, which leave them less able to relearn posture and balance. [7]

Karnath et al demonstrated that patients with Pusher Syndrome have a misperception of their upright body posture; with patient’s reporting an “upright” posture when actually tilted 18 degrees to the ipsilesional side. With MRI scanning, the patients included in this study typically demonstrate left or right posterolateral thalamus damage post stroke.[8] However the evidence around location of infarct is conflicting with some studies also suggesting damage to the parietal area. [6] [4]Abe et al also suggested that there could be increased prevalence of pushers syndrome with right sided hemisphere damage.[9]Paci et al in their review suggested that the range of evidence in pushers syndrome may be due to a multidimensional network responsible for upright postural control. [6]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]


Karnath and Broetz [10] identify three diagnostic factors of Pusher syndrome, as shown below.

1) Spontaneous body posture- (severe/moderate and mild).
The patient’s initial posture shown immediately after a positional change (ideally supine to sit/ sit to stand) must be assessed for contralateral tilting. This can be seen with or without falling to the side contralateral to the brain lesion. It is felt that patient’s must demonstrate this postural abnormality regularly to be classified as suffering with Pusher Syndrome.

2) Abduction and Extension of the Nonparetic Extremities-
Patients demonstrate abnormal positioning of the side ipsilateral to the brain lesion. Typically the hand will be abducted away from the body, the elbow held in extension and the hand searching for contact with a surface on which to push oneself to the perceived upright position. The lower limb may be abducted, with the knee and hip held in extension (as with the upper limb).

3) Resistance to Passive Correction of Tilted Posture-
Patients will typically actively resist against therapist’s manual interventions to correct their body posture. The patient’s extended upper and lower limbs will be used to push their weight towards their paretic side.

Subsequently, the Standardized Scale for Contraversive Pushing (SCP), has been formulated on these 3 deficits. The SCP is a useful tool for clinicians to classify Pusher Syndrome, and is quick and easy to apply in both an acute and rehabilitation setting [11].

Rehabilitation[edit | edit source]


Karnath and Broetz [10] suggested that the first goal of initial rehabilitation is to provide visual feedback of the patient’s altered body posture. By providing patients with visual information in relation to their environment they are able to feel they are in an erect posture when they see that they are tilted. While in different postural sets patients should be asked whether they see if they are upright and given visual references/ cues to help them orientate themselves to upright and given them feedback about their body orientation. For example by using ground-vertical structures- ie a therapist’s arm held upright to demonstrate true upright orientation, a line on a wall or a door frame. Although patients with Pusher Syndrome may initially need prompting with the use of visual feedback it is hoped that, with regular therapy, patients are able to apply training procedures independently and utilise their environment for gaining visual feedback from vertical structures[12].

Karnath and Broetz suggested from their clinical experience that the following sequence of treatment may be effective in treatment of pushers syndrome:

• Enable the patient to realize the disturbed perception of their body position.
• Enable the patient to visually explore their surroundings and the body's relationship to their environment and see whether he or she is oriented upright. Reference points can be used such as the therapist's arm or many vertical structures, such as door frames, windows or pillars.
• Practicing movements necessary to reach a vertical body position.
• Performing functional activities whilst maintaining a vertical body position.

Abe et al suggetsed that when considering length of rehabilitation stay that laterality and prognosis of pushers syndrome should be considered at the time of goal setting for rehabilitation.[9]

Prognosis[edit | edit source]


There are conflicting opinions in the literature with regards to the persistence of Pusher Syndrome in the longer term and its impact on functional outcome. Some authors report that the presence of Pusher Syndrome is rarely seen 6 months post stroke and is shown to have no negative impact upon patients’ ultimate functional outcome, although it has been shown to slow rehabilitation by up to 3 weeks [10]. However, a case study by Santos-Pontelli et al[4] reported the lingering presence of Pusher Syndrome in 3 patients up to two years post-stroke, with profound negative impacts upon their functional abilities.

Recent Related Research[edit | edit source]

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References[edit | edit source]

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  1. ↑ (Pedersen PM, Wandel A, Jorgensen HS, et al. Ipsilateral pushing in stroke: incidence, relation to neuropsychological symptoms, and impact on rehabilitation—the Copenhagen stroke study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.1996 ;77:25–28)
  2. ↑ (Roller M. The ‘Pusher Syndrome. Journal of Neurological Physical Therapy. 2004; 28 (1): 29-34)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (Davies PM. Steps to Follow: A Guide to the Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia. New York, NY: Springer;1985)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 (Santos-Pontelli TEG, Pontes-Neto OM, de Araujo DB, Santos AC, and Leite JP. Persistent pusher behavior after a stroke. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2011; 66(12): 2169–2171.) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Santos-Pontelli et al" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ (Perennou DA, Amblard B, Laassel el M, et al. Understanding the pusher behavior of some stroke patients with spatial deficits: a pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83:570-575.)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Paci M, Baccini M, Rinaldi LA. Pusher behaviour: a critical review of controversial issues. Disability and rehabilitation. 2009 Jan 1;31(4):249-58.
  7. ↑ Babyar SR, Peterson MG, Bohannon R, Pérennou D, Reding M. Clinical examination tools for lateropulsion or pusher syndrome following stroke: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Rehabil. 2009;23:639-650.
  8. ↑ Karnath HO, Johannsen L, Broetz D, Küker W. Posterior thalamic hemorrhage induces “pusher syndrome”. Neurology. 2005 Mar 22;64(6):1014-9.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Abe H, Kondo T, Oouchida Y, Suzukamo Y, Fujiwara S, Izumi SI. Prevalence and length of recovery of pusher syndrome based on cerebral hemispheric lesion side in patients with acute stroke. Stroke. 2012 Jun 1;43(6):1654-6
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 (Karnath HO and Broetz D. Understanding and Treating “Pusher Syndrome. Physical Therapy. 2003;83:12:1119-1125
  11. ↑ (Karnath HO, Ferber S, Dichgans J. The Origin of Contraversive Pushing: Evidence for a Second Graviceptive System in Humans. Neurology. 2000;55:1298-1304)
  12. ↑ (Karnath H-O, Ferber S, Dichgans J. The neural representation of postural control in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2000 ;97:13931–13936.)


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