FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY Flashcards
define functional recovery
a form of plasticity where the brain is able to redistribute or transfer functions to undamaged areas
what is spontaneous recovery?
recover quick after trauma, slows down after weeks/months then move to rehab therapy
when does functional recovery happen?
experience of stroke or other brain trauma
the brain is able to what during functional recovery?
rewire and reorg itself forms new syn connections closer to area of damage
what are secondary neural pathways?
typically not used to carry out certain func activated and take on role of damaged area
who found secondary neural pathways?
Doidge
how are secondary neural pathways supported?
by the 3 structural changes in the brain
what are the 3 structural changes in the brain?
axonal sprouting
denervation of supersensitivity
recruitment of homologous
what is axonal sprouting?
growth of new nerve endings connect to undamaged nerve cells to form new neuronal pathways
what is denervation supersensitivity?
axons with similar role to damaged area, have higher level of arousal to compensate
what is recruitment of homologous?
specific tasks still performed , just on the opposite site e.g. Broca’s area on the RH
how can recruitment of homologous be criticised?
not as effective as opposite hemisphere
what are 2 evaluation points for functional recovery?
+ real world application
- relation to cognitive reserve
one strength of functional recovery is that it has…
real world application
how does functional recovery have real-world application?
contributed to the field of neurorehabilitation
what is required after spontaneous recovery tends to slow down?
forms of physical therapy required to maintain improvements in functioning
what types of techniques counter deficits in motor/cognitive function for example after a stroke?
movement therapy or cognitive function
what does practical application increase?
theoretical value of func recovery, shows that even though the brain can fix itself, it requires further intervention to be completely successful
a weakness of func revoery is…
the cognitive reserve
what is the cognitive reserve?
reserve of thinking abilities that can last through age and disease
what does evidence suggest about cog reserve and func recovery?
educational attainment may influence how well the brain adapts functionally after an injury
who conducted research about education and func recovery?
Schneider et al
what did Schneider et al discover?
the more time ppl with brain injuries had spent in education ( cog reserve) the greater chance of a disability free redcovery
what statistics can be shown to see DFR through cog reserve?
40% study for more than 16 years had DFR, compared to 10% of those with less than 12 years of edu
the research into the cognitive reserve decreases the…
application and credibility of the theory as it doesn’t look at what factors can affect functional recovery
