Neurofacilitation Techniques Flashcards
When should you use neurofacilitation techniques?
If the patient is so impaired motorically that task oriented practice is not possible
What do neurofacilitation techniques focus on doing?
Inhibiting abnormal movement or facilitating more normal movement
What are the 2 biological purposes of neuromuscular function in the Rood approach?
Mobility and stability
What are the 2 primary components in the Rood approach?
Motor development sequences
Sensory stimulation techniques
What are the sensory stimulation techniques used for in the Rood approach?
Tap into sensory function to improve motor function
What are the 2 motor developmental sequences in the Rood approach?
Skeletal function- head, neck, trunk
Vital function- respiration, feeding, speech
What are sensory stimulation inhibitory techniques used for?
Spasticity
What is Roods sequence of motor development?
- Mobility
- Stability
- Controlled mobility
- Skill
What does mobility refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?
Flexible motion, range, and speed
What does stability refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?
Co contraction of agonists and antagonists (weight bearing)
What does controlled mobility refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?
Distal parts are fixed on support surface and proximal segment moves over fixed distal segment
What does skill refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?
Distal part of extremity is free from surface and coordinated movement of segment is superimposed on proximal stability
What population is sensory integration mostly used in?
Pediatrics
What type of input is used in sensory integration?
Tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, vision, and hearing
What can be done in sensory integration to help with hyposensitivity?
Participation in specific sensory modalities may lower sensory thresholds
What are some keys to sensory integration therapy?
Can’t be random
Does no provide sensory stimulation alone
Not passive
What does the brunnstrom method focus on?
Abnormal synergistic patterns and stages of motor recovery following stroke
What are synergies?
Coupled muscles contract in sequence
What are the stages of motor recovery according to brunnstrom?
Stage 1 is flaccid
To movement into synergistic patterns and spasticity
Ending with stage 6 with isolated movements
What did brunnstrom believe?
That each person must move through each stage of recovery which would promote development of synergy (not practiced clinically today)
What are the flexion synergy patterns described by brunnstrom?
Scapula retraction and elevation
Shoulder abduction and ER
Elbow flexion
Forearm supination
Wrist flexion
Finger flexion and adduction
What are the extension synergy patterns described by brunnstrom?
Hip extension and IR
Knee extension
Ankle PF and inversion
Toes PF
What does NDT focus on?
Recovery with strict avoidance of compensation (no use of orthotics or AD)
What is true about the NDT intervention?
Very individualized
What is a problem with using NDT?
It takes a long time which does not match current healthcare
What is posture used for in NDT?
Core stability and alignment
What is therapeutic handling of key points of control used for in NDT?
Guiding patient to more normal posture and movement (no practice of abnormal movement)
What are the key steps in NDT?
Ask to see the movement (observe and identify constraints)
Facilitate the movement
Progress the movement
What does irradiation mean?
Training stronger parts will spread and help weaker parts of body
PNF is used in combination with movement patterns to assist what?
Initiation, speed, direction, and timing of movement
What is the key to task oriented approach?
Using functional activities (locomotor training on treadmill)
How is neurofacilitation different from task oriented approaches?
Has more hands on and guiding of movement
Less functional practice (functional goal less evident)
Does not promote movement exploration by the patient
Why would we use neurofacilitation when task oriented approaches seem better?
Due to limited motor function
Allows for more automatic activation
Assists patient to learn desired movement
What are the potential disadvantages to using neurofacilitation?
Patient may become dependent on them which could prevent motor learning
What is our main goals as PTs for treatment?
Task oriented approach with intensive practice but neurofacilitation may be used if patient does not have the movement to do task oriented approach
