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.