The road to recovery after a disability, serious illness, or injury, like a stroke or brain injury, can feel overwhelming. The initial stages can be filled with uncertainty and frustration as you grapple with the limitations in your strength, mobility and independence. Regaining movement and control in your affected limb can seem like a distant dream. However, there is hope. Rehabilitation programs can offer a path toward reclaiming your strength, independence and ability to do everyday tasks. This article will focus on three specific rehabilitation approaches that can be particularly effective for individuals with stroke or brain injury: serial casting, intensive constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual training.
What is a stroke? What is a brain injury?
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing damage to brain cells. Brain injuries can be caused by a blow to the head, trauma or other factors. Both conditions can affect movement, sensation, speech and other functions, depending on the location and severity of the injury. In some cases, stroke or brain injury can lead to weakness, paralysis or a lack of coordination in one or both sides of the body.
The role of rehabilitation after stroke or brain injury
The brain has a remarkable ability to heal and reorganize itself after an injury. Rehabilitation can play a crucial role in promoting this process, called neuroplasticity. Through targeted therapies and mass practice exercises, rehabilitation can help individuals relearn lost skills and develop new ways to perform everyday tasks.
Rehabilitation approaches for stroke and brain injury
While there are a number of rehabilitation approaches available, three specific methods can be particularly effective in helping individuals with stroke or brain injury regain movement and function in their affected limb:
- Serial casting — Serial casting is a noninvasive approach to reduce the muscle tightness and limited range of motion of a joint to improve the patient’s function. Serial casting is used after attempts of stretching and other modalities. It can be a good treatment, along with Botox injections, to decrease muscle tone.
- What can a serial casting protocol look like? — Your therapist will carefully assess your individual needs and goals before determining if serial casting is appropriate. The cast will be custom-fitted to your affected limb and worn for a specific duration, usually ranging from one week to a few weeks. It is molded specifically to increase your affected limb’s range of motion. With each cast removal, your therapist will assess the range of motion to determine if another serial cast is needed to gain more range of motion.
- Intensive constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) — This evidence-based approach focuses on retraining the brain to use the weaker, affected limb by temporarily restraining the stronger, unaffected limb. Through a structured program of repetitive tasks and exercises, CIMT helps to encourage the brain to remap movement patterns and improve function in the affected side.
- What can a CIMT session look like? — A typical CIMT session may involve practicing activities like reaching for objects, manipulating toys or completing self-care tasks like dressing or eating using your affected limb. Your therapist will ensure that the activities are challenging but achievable, pushing you to rely only on your affected limb. The unaffected limb may be restrained, using a mitt or removable cast for a specific period during the session, and you may even keep the restraint on during activities in the home and community.
- How long does a CIMT program last? — The duration of CIMT can vary depending on your individual needs and progress. Generally, programs range from two to four weeks, with therapy sessions conducted each day.
- Bimanual training — This therapy incorporates both the affected and unaffected limbs while performing tasks. Your therapist may guide you through activities that require coordinated use of both hands, stimulating the brain to relearn how to work with both sides together. Over time, this can lead to improved dexterity, coordination and overall function in the affected limb.
- Examples of bimanual training — Bimanual training exercises can involve tasks like building with blocks, manipulating puzzles, playing games that require hand-eye coordination with both hands, completing self-care skills such as using buttons, zippers, brushing teeth, etc., or cooking and doing laundry tasks. Your therapist will gradually increase the complexity of the activities as your skills improve.
- Benefits beyond physical function — Bimanual training not only improves physical abilities, but it can also help improve cognitive skills like attention, planning and problem-solving, which are crucial for everyday activities.
Benefits of rehabilitation
Techniques like serial casting, intensive constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual training along with general rehabilitation after stroke or brain injury can have a profound impact on your life or the life of your loved one. Here are some benefits outpatient medical rehabilitation can bring:
- Improved movement and function — Therapy can help you regain control over your movements and improve your ability to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing and eating. This increased independence can significantly enhance your quality of life and sense of accomplishment.
- Increased strength and coordination — Rehabilitation exercises can help strengthen your muscles, improve coordination and enhance your balance. This not only allows you to do daily tasks more easily but also reduces your risk of falls and injuries.
- Improved independence — As your abilities improve, you can gain greater independence in daily life, boosting confidence and overall well-being. Improved independence may pave the way to returning to work, doing hobbies, participating in social activities and living a more fulfilling life.
- Reduced pain and spasticity — Therapy can help manage pain and muscle stiffness that can occur after a stroke or brain injury. This can improve your comfort level and allow for participating more actively in rehabilitation.
- Improved cognitive function — Rehabilitation can also benefit cognitive skills like memory, attention and problem-solving. This can be because the brain’s plasticity allows for new neural connections to form as you practice and learn new skills during therapy.
Ability KC can be your partner in recovery
Regaining movement and function in affected limbs after a stroke or brain injury can feel like a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Ability KC, our team of dedicated specialists helps individuals with stroke and brain injury achieve their highest level of independence. We offer a comprehensive and personalized approach to rehabilitation tailored to your specific needs and goals. We can help you reclaim your abilities and live a fulfilling life.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.