Motor Restoration and Spasticity Management after Stroke

Abstract

The treatment of stroke does not end after a 3-hour time window. Several randomized, controlled studies of focused stroke rehabilitation units showed that these units reduce disability, with treatment effects persisting for years. Although the exact reasons for the superiority of these specialized units remain uncertain, presumably some portion is related to the quality and types of therapies provided to the patients. Advances in the understanding of the brain's ability to react to injury have led to the current testing of treatments based on the neuroscience of recovery rather than simply the clinician's guess about what effective treatments might be. This chapter will provide an overview of the treatments directed towards the restoration of motor function and towards ameliorating spasticity after stroke. The data supporting the use of emerging therapies of constraint induced movement treatment and robotic treatment will be discussed.