Historical Perspective

• The theory of PNF is that normal movement and posture is based on a balance between antagonist and agonist muscles.
• Sensory stimulation, or ROOD, believes that all motor input is the result of both past and present sensory input.
• In neurodevelopmental treatment, the patient should learn to control movement through activities that promote normal movement patterns that integrate function. Manual contact from the therapist is key.
• The movement therapy approach, or Brunnstrom, utilizes synergy patterns to promote movement. You should only perform tasks that the patient is already able to do.
• Spontaneous recovery, or endogenous plasticity, starts in the acute phase after stroke, peaks in the subacute phase, and starts to plateau in the late subacute-chronic stages.
• The acute phase after stroke lasts 1-7 days.
• The hyper-acute phase after stroke lasts 24 hours.
• The early subacute phase starts around day 7, and ends after 3 months.
• The late subacute phase lasts from months 3 to 6.
• PT can begin as early as 72 hours post-stroke in the hospital. The typical length of stay is 2-5 days.
• Individuals mobilized within 24 hours of stroke vs. standard care walked earlier.