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Upper limb physiotherapy exercises for patients suffering from spastic hemiparesis
Introduction
Spastic hemiparesis mostly arises as a consequence of stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, perinatal damage. In these cases not only the muscular strength becomes weaker, but the muscular tone increases causing further problems. The exercises described in the catalogue were collected by the physiotherapists working for the Reharob Project. The main objective of this project is to develop a robotic system for upper limb motion therapy for patients, who have hemiparesis due to central nervous system damage. In this phase of the project we have made up a collection of the possible exercises so as to demonstrate the physiotherapist’s work. The robot will be required to execute selected excercises from this catalogue. The aim of these exercises is to improve the patients upper limb movements (strengthen the muscles, decrease spasticity, improve coordination and proprioception, increase range of movement of the joints). At present the physiotherapists use several kinds of exercises at such patients. There are no evidences, which method the best is (Bobath, Kabat, Brunnstrom, Petõ, Rood, Vojta, Doman). We have choosen exercises which we think useful at least for a group of the patients. Some of these exercises belong to one of the famous methods, others can’t be ranged.
The video records were made with the aim of demonstration. On the records the „patients” are healthy volunteers and the velocity of the movements is quicker than it would be correct when treating patients suffering from spastic paresis. Naturally, the range of movement can be restricted at patients. On the records the exercises are executed on lying position, but they can be done if the patient is sitting as well. These exercises can be performed either on passive or active assisted way. From this collection the physiotherapist can build up complex therapy program. She should use the exercises individually, regarding the patient’s momentary state.
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