Exercises in front of the mirror after a stroke | Therapy of a stroke

Exercises in front of the mirror after a stroke

After a stroke, often only one side of the body is particularly affected by the impairments. In the majority of cases, these manifest themselves as paralysis. Through remodelling processes in the brain, other areas can take over the functions of the lost areas.

Mirrors can be used to promote the remodelling process. This is a complementary therapy method, in which movement sequences are to be trained by deceiving the brain. The training takes place in a room with little stimulus, without pictures, screens, windows or other objects that could attract attention.

A mirror is placed, for example between the arms lying on a table. This should be large enough to prevent the affected limb from being seen from the healthy or less restricted side of the body. The patient can now see the mirror image of the limb that can move easily.

If specific movements are now carried out under guidance, the illusion is created that the side of the body with restricted mobility is moving along healthily. Through absolute concentration, the transformation process mentioned at the beginning can be accelerated. The half of the body affected by the stroke is reactivated. The effectiveness of the training varies from individual to individual, but should always be considered due to its simplicity.

Ergotherapy after a stroke

Although inpatient and outpatient treatment of stroke patients is the first step on a long road to recovery, it is by far not enough. Every affected person should take the initiative and perform exercises several times a day instead of participating in guided measures for only a few hours a week. Occupational therapy plays an important role and involves the performance of everyday activities that stroke patients often have to relearn.

Daily training demonstrably improves the healing results. Fine motor skills (or dexterity) is the key to the majority of all everyday movements. For example, to train the sense of touch and small hand movements, a glass filled with dry legumes can be used.

Small figures or objects are placed in this glass. The patient’s task is to feel the objects and thus train both his sensitivity and the required movements. A normally automated movement is writing.

Many patients have to relearn how to write after a moderate or severe stroke. However, this learning process paves the way for other movements that are performed automatically in everyday life – brushing teeth, vacuuming, driving a car. The writing training can be started with frequent scribbling on paper and then be transformed into more complex writing exercises. By motivating patients to take the initiative, they are back in life more quickly and can take part in social and, if necessary, professional life. Occupational therapy also plays an important role in the case of a cerebellar infarction.