Article

Patients with acquired neurological deficits may capitalize on cortical
reorganization to recover functional skills that have been lost. Research in
neuroplasticity proposes that a high number of repetitions may lead to cortical
reorganization. The purposes of this study were to quantify the number and type
of activities performed by patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke
in physical and occupational therapy sessions to determine whether (1) the number
of repetitions approaches the numbers in neuroplasticity research, (2) there were
differences based on patient diagnosis, and (3) patient or therapist
characteristics affected the type or amount of activities performed. Forty-eight
patient and forty provider subjects participated. One hundred seven therapy
sessions were observed. Data from therapy sessions were counted and categorized.
Neither patient group approached the total number of repetitions neuroplasticity
research suggests may be required for neuroplastic change. Repetitions per
session did not differ between groups. Subjects with TBI performed more
repetitions per minute in three categories (total upper-limb repetitions, gait
steps, and transfers) than subjects with stroke. Therapists with <1 year or >15
years of neurological therapy experience instructed patients in fewer functional
repetitions per minute than did therapists with 5 to 15 years of experience.

Langue : ANGLAIS