A stroke is also known as a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), where brain cells die as a result of a clot or bleed in the brain. A stroke can impact all aspects of life performance, but research shows that early, intensive, and ongoing occupational therapy can improve physical, cognitive, and life performance outcomes in stroke patients.
How a Stroke Impacts Function
The impacts of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is affected. A stroke of the left middle cerebral artery will likely impact speech/language and motor/sensory information for on the right side of the body. A stroke in the pons will likely impact all motor control, including breathing. A stroke in the cerebellum will likely impact motor coordination and balance.
Regardless of the brain region affected, a stroke will likely impact a person’s ability to perform all life activities, like self-care, home maintenance, medication management, community access, work, and leisure.
Occupational Therapy Helps
Every brain and stroke is unique, and factors like age, underlying conditions, and access to quality healthcare are also unique to each individual. So, recovery and outcomes are also is unique to the individual.
Some people with debilitating strokes regain a surprising amount of function over many years. Participants in support groups for people with aphasia (some combination of language production/reception difficulties) continue to gain vocabulary and communication capacities even 30 years after their stroke. People can also regain motor control and strength long after their stroke.
Occupational therapy has been shown to be especially beneficial for stroke patients. A patient’s specific challenges and overall life function are improved through:
- Use of activities that are familiar to draw upon practiced regions of the brain to support improvement in brain areas affected by the stroke
- Use of activities that are unfamiliar to support neuroplasticity and cross-application of skills
- Interventions that isolate specific deficits or challenge a combination of deficits
- Techniques that relieve lingering symptoms
- Self-care routines that support neurological function and recovery
- Holistic approaches that consider the whole person in their life contexts
- Modification of activities and the environment to maximize life performance
- Establishing social support systems
Teletherapy Considerations
Post-stroke, a person ideally receives intensive rehabilitation in the hospital and long after they leave the hospital. However, many stroke survivors do not have access to inpatient rehabilitation, home health services, or outpatient clinics. For many, virtual access can be crucial.
However, there are some important considerations for virtual rehabilitation:
- An assistant often must be present during the session to help with preparation, exercises, supplies, etc.
- Mobility training often requires a trained care provider or competent caregiver to prevent a fall and is not recommended through virtual therapy
- Stroke-related communication challenges may make virtual therapy more difficult
- For these and other reasons, virtual therapy may take more session time than if therapies were provided in-person
Nevertheless, virtual therapy may the best option for stroke patients in certain circumstances. To answer any questions you may have, please email davidcacanindin@braintreetherapies.com to schedule a free consult to explore options.
Risk Factors for Stroke
Factors that may increase a person’s risk of stroke include:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease or arrhythmias
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol/drug use
- Age
- Family history
B.E. F.A.S.T.
With strokes, minutes matter in order to prevent permanent brain damage and retain function. There are several very effective treatments that can stop a stroke in the hospital, but only if they get treatment in time. This important pneumonic from the American Stroke Association can help you recognize signs of stroke and ensure that treatment is provided as soon as possible:
| B – Balance | Does the person suddenly have balance or coordination issues? |
| E – Eyes | Is there a sudden blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes? |
| F – Face drooping | Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? |
| A – Arm weakness | Is one arm weak or numb? If arms are raised forward, does one arm drift downward? |
| S – Speech difficulty | Is speech slurred, or is there difficulty forming simple sentences? |
| T – Time to call 911 | If there is even one of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately |
Brain Tree 