Stroke: The Evidence for Physiotherapy

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Introduction

Physiotherapy is one of the key disciplines involved in Stroke Rehabiliitation as part of an interdiscpilinary team. According to Stokes and Stack (2012) the role of the physiotherapist is to enable individuals with stroke to achieve their optimal physical potential and functional independance . This is achieved through the use of techniques to facilitate the relearning of movements, use of strategies to enhance adaptation, prevention of secondary complications and maintenance of ability and function. Various approaches to physical rehabilitation have been developed and used over the years, according to different ideas about how people recover after a stroke. Often physiotherapists may follow one specific treatment approach, but Pollock et al (2014) suggest this practice is generally based on personal preference rather than scientific rationale. Considerable debate continues among physiotherapists about the relative benefits of different approaches; therefore it is important to bring together the research evidence and highlight what best practice ought to be in selecting these different approaches.

New strategies to enhance recovery draw from a growing understanding of how types of training, progressive task-related practice of skills, exercise for strengthening and fitness, neurostimulation, and drug and biological manipulations can induce adaptations at multiple levels of the nervous system.

Guiding Principles

Lennon and Bassile (2009) put forward eight guiding principles for neurological physiotherapists which look at an holistic approach to provide a strong framework for development of your treatment plan.

International Classification Function

References

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