Recovery from CVA

One of the most devastating events in life for some people is when they have a stroke. As nurses we play a major role in their progression through our facilities. As soon as signs are noticed in a person they are either rushed to the hospital or they are transported by EMS. If signs are not recognized early enough the signs become a permanent part of the patients life. Much time and money has been put into the development of treating CVA's. The goal of these treatments is to have the symptoms resolve and have life go back to normal. If you've ever had a chance to work with patients who have had any sort of neurological injury, you know that healing is not a fast process. My concern was,with how fast neurological research is moving forward, are we as nurses keeping up with rapidly changing practices? For the patient this could mean the difference between have life return to normal or living with a life long disability. I do realize that there are extenuating circumstances that could leave a patient with disability no matter what we do, but we as nurses are patient advocates and must do the best we can to improve our patients outcome anyway we can!

What I looked for with my research were ways that we as nurses could improve mobility after a stroke had left a patient with hemiparesis, which is one of the most common symptoms post- CVA. From a patients perspective knowing what is out there and what can be done to improve disability can make the future less bleak. As nurses we do not want to give false hope. Knowing what can be done and the efficacy rates of each therapy can allow us to continue to be professional nurses.

Knowledge is a powerful tool. For out patients it is part of out role to provide them with tools to help them reach their goals. Not all goals can be met, but we can show them that they have the power to take charge of their condition. Through taking charge they are able to feel empowered and continue to live a productive life despite physical limitations.

Ability Camp: Stroke Therapy
http://www.abilitycamp.com/stroke.html
This site was from a rehabilitation camp. It was more of a holistic therapy camp. I didn't necessarily agree with everything that they said, but for the patients sake I thought it would be good to include alternative therapies. I believe these should also be taught on to inform patients on as much as we can about whats out there for them.

Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivor
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/109/16/2031
This site was put out by the American Heart Association. Tons of information through them! What caught my eye was the recommendation for extended physical therapy. Previously therapy had been cut short because it was believed only a limited amount of therapy could be beneficial. Great for our patient to fight with insurance companies for!

Movement Therapy Helps Stroke Patients
http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20071211/movement-therapy-helps-stroke-patients
This is a webmd.com article on restrictive therapy post CVA. Restrictive therapy has shown to be effective at regaining motor function in muscle paralysis post CVA

Living After Stoke: Web Presentation Series
http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=living
This is a presentation put on by the National Stroke Association about life after stroke. Lots of great information through out the website about stroke.


Thorne AJ; Acute Care Perspectives, 2009 Spring; 18 (1): 12-8 (journal article - case study, tables/charts) ISSN: 1551-9147 CINAHL AN: 2010288347

Subjects: Constraint-Induced Therapy; Stroke

This site was a review of an older technique of restraining the unaffected side of a patient with hemiparesis. It showed that motor function was improved with this therapy in both research animals, as well as humans.

Wang R; Chan R; Tsai M; Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 2000 Jan-Feb; 37 (1): 73-9 (journal article - research, tables/charts) ISSN: 0748-7711 PMID: 10847574 CINAHL AN: 2000056421

Subjects: Muscle Spasticity; Stroke; Stroke; Adult: 19-44 years; Aged: 65+ years; Middle Aged: 45-64 years; Female; Male

This journal went over the technique of providing electric impulses to muscles that had developed spasticity post CVA. The purpose was to relieve tension and increase flexibility of the affected limb.