Stroke
A stroke is a cerebral vascular accident that causes a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain. Poor blood flow to brain cells means a lack of oxygen, which in some cases can be fatal. One person in ten successfully recovers total physical and mental capacities after a stroke. However, more than one half of stroke victims must learn to live with post-stroke symptoms, such as:
- Speech and language difficulties
- Partial or complete paralysis of one half of the body (hemiplegia)
- Impaired memory
- Behavior modifications
- Chronic fatigue
The risk of acute damage is dependent on the size of the oxygen-deprived region.
Forerunner symptoms include:
- Dizziness and sudden loss of balance
- Loss of strength and / or sensitivity in one arm, one leg, half of the face or all of one side of the body
- Sudden difficulty finding or expressing words (incomprehensible sentences or words)
- Sudden loss of vision in one eye or visual field
Physiotherapy rehabilitation
- Stimulate joint and muscle function
- Promote correct muscle tone to enable better motor function
- Promote early stepping verticalization
- Favor lower limb loading
- Work on balance and coordination
- Work on gait and movement activities
Adapted physical activity rehabilitation
- Optimal stimulation and exercise of impaired limbs or body side using fitness equipment and/ or appropriate sports activities
- Improve physical condition to combat post-stroke fatigue
Occupational therapy rehabilitation
- Regain optimal independence in daily life activities: washing, dressing, cooking and shopping as well as administrative and financial tasks
- Stimulate self-directed bed, toilet and car transfers
- Recover sensitivity loss or diminution
- Stimulate injured upper limb motor skills and integrate these in bi-manual activities
- Restore functional hand movement: dexterity work, finger dissociation, precision, skill, strength and writing
- Develop an upper limb positioning orthoses
- Improve balance (Wii Balance Board)
- Evaluate and set up all necessary equipment and home assistance to ensure a successful return-home transition
Neuropsychological rehabilitation
Neuropsychology makes use of preserved abilities in order to rehabilitate and/or compensate for impaired cognitive skills. It focuses on improving:
- Memory skills
- Executive functions (i.e. multitasking, planning daily tasks...)
- Attention disorders (i.e. speed of information processing)
- Unilateral spatial neglect symptoms
Several approaches are used, such as:
- Cognitive skill games
- Specific computer software tools (Rehacom, iGerip, Cogniplus®)
- Pencil-and-paper exercises
- Prismatic adaptation
- Memory notebook implementation
Speech and language therapy rehabilitation
Speech and language therapy focuses on improving speech, voice and swallowing disorders.
Diverse therapeutic activities include:
- Oral and written expression/comprehension
- Vocal exercises
- Articulation exercises
- Orofacial motor exercises
- Therapeutic diets (restoring nutrition, food texture adaptation, techniques to protect airway passage)
Our speech therapists implement alternative communication procedures to help patients improve family/friend interactions. Speech therapy also plays a key role in the recovery of facial paralysis.
Clinics with this speciality