Body Neglect of an affected limb is a real challenge in stroke recovery. Stroke Recovery starts from using proper position, facilitating awareness of affected extremity, and use it in a functional task. Along with proper positioning challenge, another challenge that we, as rehab professionals, usually face, is facilitating the use of neglected/affected side after hours in stroke patients. It can start by talking and having a casual conversation with the patient on providing some cues to use that affected limb during evenings or weekends. When we in-service the non-rehab staff regarding how to facilitate the use of an affected limb, we need to make sure that we convey the important message that it may not be for all stroke patients. A patient needs to be ready to use that paretic limb during non-rehab hours. Otherwise, just facing constant failures while attempting to use a paretic limb, will only cause more aggression, depression and no motivation to use that affected limb.
Continue reading “Body Neglect: A Challenge in Stroke Recovery and How to Treat it.”