- PT 637
- Neuromotor Rehabilitation
- Widener University
- Institute For Physical Therapy Education
Web Links
Neuroanatomy and Pathology on the Internet
Comprehensive resource for anatomy and pathophysiology. Includes numerous links to active anatomy learning modules, interactive case studies, graphics, and quizzes. One of the most comprehensive sites on the web for neuroanatomy and pathology.
Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury - Model Systems Site
This is the homepage for the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems. The TBI Model Systems are funded through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a branch of the Department of Education.
Glossary of Terms - Brain Injury
Introduction to some common terms encountered in brain injury rehabilitation. Covers some common neuropsychological terms.
Balance and Postural Control
Identifying Control Mechanisms for Postural Behaviors - abstracts of platform and poster presentation at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting addressing issues related to balance.
Postural Synergies Associated With a Stepping Task Mercer VS, Sahrmann SA. Phys Ther. 1999;79:1142-1152
Background and Purpose. Synergistic relationships among multiple muscle components are thought to exist to simplify control of posture and movement. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which children, young adults, and older adults exhibit consistent sequences of postural muscle activation when lifting the right foot onto a step from a standing position. Subjects. Twenty subjects without known impairments of the neuromuscular system (10 male, 10 female) in each of 3 age groups--children (8-12 years), young adults (25-35 years), and older adults (65-73 years)--participated. Methods. A pressure switch taped to the subject's right foot was used to determine movement onset and offset. Latencies of muscle activation were determined using surface electromyography. A preferred postural synergy was defined as the sequence of postural muscle activation observed during the majority of trials for each subject. Results. Mean movement times did not differ among age groups. Although the left tibialis anterior (TA) muscle was the first of the postural muscles activated in 93% of the trials, subjects displayed considerable variability in the subsequent order of postural muscle activation. Across subjects, a total of 14 different preferred postural synergies were observed. Age groups did not differ in the number of different synergies. Conclusion and Discussion. Early TA activation may reflect biomechanical constraints of the stepping task, producing forward displacement of the center of mass over the changing base of support. The fact that subjects of all ages were quite variable in the specific sequences of muscles activated subsequent to the TA suggests that, for this type of task, therapists should not focus their interventions on facilitating execution of particular synergy patterns. [Mercer VS, Sahrmann SA. Postural synergies associated with a stepping task. Phys Ther. 1999;79:1142-1152.]
Standardized Assessments
Rancho Los Amigos - Levels of Cognitive Functioning
Glasgow Coma Scale - levels of consciousness\severity of coma.
Disability Rating Scale - examines arousal, level of dependence for self-care, and psychosocial issues
Functional Independence Measure (FIM)
Fast Evaluation of Mobility, Balance, and Fear
Reference List for Standardized Assessments of Function Post-CVA
Neurocom Assessment Protocols - A description of testing protocols for the Neurocom Balance Master.
Mini Mental Status Exam: Normative Data
Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale
Functional Assessment In Geriatric Physical Therapy Solveig Arnadottir, MS, PT, Vicki Stemmons Mercer, PhD, PT
The authors review a variety of functional assessment tools focusing on the psychometric properties of each tool. Tools covered address balance and mobility, gait, self-care and cognition.
Physical therapists working in geriatric clinical practice or research need standardized functional assessment instruments for screening, evaluating baseline status, monitoring changes over time, determining the effects of interventions, and predicting and documenting outcomes. With a variety of instruments currently available, selection of an appropriate instrument for a particular setting or patient population can be difficult. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed description of several widely used assessment instruments. These instruments cover a number of different functional activities, including balance and mobility, gait, and self-care. The focus of the review is on the psychometric properties, ease of use, and strengths and weaknesses of the selected instruments. By increasing their knowledge of functional assessment instruments, physical therapists can maximize their efficiency in geriatric clinical and research environments.
Stroke Assessment Scales and Tools - website maintained by Washington University in St. Louis and the American Stroke Association.
NDT
The Bobath Approach in Journals and Books - a site with references to the most recent literature and books that have been published on NDT. The site has a link for pre-searching PubMed.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association of America (NDTA) Website
Neurorehabilitation Links
A comprehensive listing of links related to neurorehabilitation. The website includes links to pathological processes, support organizations, professional organizations, government publications, and anatomy.
PNF
Stretching Techniques - defines the terms contract relax, hold relax, slow reversal hold.
Basic Principles of PNF - short presentation defining the basic principles of PNF.
UE Synergies & Factors Influencing Recovery Post-CVA
Stroke
AHCPR Guidelines for Stroke Rehabilitation - Table of Contents
Preferred Instruments for Assessing Individuals Post-CVA
Guide to Stroke Assessments - Washington University School of Medicine - website that contains numerous scales for using with person's post-stroke. The site includes actual copies of the instruments, as well as, guidelines for interpreting the findings
Stroke Toolbox - University of Kansas Medical Center
Anatomy of the Brain: How it is Affected by Stroke - online teaching module.
Case Study - 67 yom with multiple infarcts and complex medical history.
Stroke Syndromes - listing of syndromes by arterial distribution.
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy: A New Family of Techniques with Broad Application to Physical Rehabilitation--A Clinical Review. Edward Taub, PhD; Gitendra Uswatte, MA; Rama Pidikiti, MD. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development Vol. 36 No. 3, July 1999.
Spasticity
Spasticity - information about the etiology and management of tonal issues.
Motor Control/Motor Learning
Dynamical Systems Theory
Dynamical Pattern Theory
Schema Theory
