Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT) The theory behind CIMT and modified CIMT was used to develop methods of driving improvements in those with aphasia.  (see “Constraint Induced Movement Therapy”)  No physical restraints are used, but  methods are used to limit the client’s use of compensatory strategies such as writing, gesturing, drawing, etc.  This treatment is […]

Constraint Induced Aphasia Therapy (CIAT) The theory behind CIMT and modified CIMT was used to develop methods of driving improvements in those with aphasia.  (see “Constraint Induced Movement Therapy”)  No physical restraints are used, but  methods are used to limit the client’s use of compensatory strategies such as writing, gesturing, drawing, etc.  This treatment is […]

Mirror Therapy in Stroke Recovery (Let me start by admitting this is a stretch to include in the Rehab Technology section….but I also included it in the alternative treatment section, if that makes you feel any better.) This treatment is really a from of mental practice, but with the addition of visual “trickery,” so to speak.  […]

Aquatic Therapy in Stroke Rehab Many stroke survivors will perform aquatic therapy (aka pool therapy) at some point in their rehab process.  The bouyancy of the water often allows a person to stand, walk, and perform other rehab and general conditioning exercises that they wouldn’t be able to perform on land.  It seems obvious that […]

Mental Practice in Stroke Recovery Other names for mental practice: visual imagery mental imagery guided visualization mental movement therapy I know what you’re thinking: “Are you telling me to IMAGINE moving, and I will regain the ability to move?” YES…that’s EXACTLY what I’m telling you. Research has shown that simply THINKING about moving your affected […]

Craniosacral Therapy Other names for, or variations of this treatment: cranial sacral therapy CST Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Cranial Osteopathy   I’m slightly hesitant to tackle this topic, because it has been fairly controversial among physical therapists, and other practitioners (osteopaths, chiropractors, etc.) There is a strong push by the American Physical Therapy Association, and among […]

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) HBOT has been used for many years in treating a wide variety of illnesses and conditions, such as decompression sickness (from diving), carbon monoxide poisoning, diabetic wounds, and skin grafts.  It consists of placing the patient in some type of chamber or mask that increases the oxygen content of the air […]

Tai Chi in stroke rehab Tai Chi is a form of exercise that incorporates slow, rhythmical movements and poses with focused breathing patterns.  Some have called it “moving meditation,” because when done correctly, it truly does bring your mental concentration in line with the movement of your body and your breath.  It originated from an […]

Treadmill training There are a few different variations of treadmill training in stroke rehab. body-weight supported treadmill training –  (BWS) uses a harness to support all, or a portion of, the patient’s body-weight, allowing them to focus on walking, rather than simply trying not to fall on their face. robot-assisted treadmill training – a machine actually moves […]

D-Amphetamine for enhancing stroke recovery? Dextroamphetamine, or D-amphetamine, is classified as a psychostimulant drug that promotes increased alertness and focus, as well as decreased fatigue.  It is commonly used in the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD (it is the primary component of the medicine Adderall).  It’s effects on the cardiovascular system (potential problems with increased […]