Neurofacilitation Techniques

Question 1

When should you use neurofacilitation techniques?

Answer 1

If the patient is so impaired motorically that task oriented practice is not possible

Question 2

What do neurofacilitation techniques focus on doing?

Answer 2

Inhibiting abnormal movement or facilitating more normal movement

Question 3

What are the 2 biological purposes of neuromuscular function in the Rood approach?

Answer 3

Mobility and stability

Question 4

What are the 2 primary components in the Rood approach?

Answer 4

Motor development sequences

Sensory stimulation techniques

Question 5

What are the sensory stimulation techniques used for in the Rood approach?

Answer 5

Tap into sensory function to improve motor function

Question 6

What are the 2 motor developmental sequences in the Rood approach?

Answer 6

Skeletal function- head, neck, trunk

Vital function- respiration, feeding, speech

Question 7

What are sensory stimulation inhibitory techniques used for?

Answer 7

Spasticity

Question 8

What is Roods sequence of motor development?

Answer 8

1. Mobility
2. Stability
3. Controlled mobility
4. Skill

Question 9

What does mobility refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?

Answer 9

Flexible motion, range, and speed

Question 10

What does stability refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?

Answer 10

Co contraction of agonists and antagonists (weight bearing)

Question 11

What does controlled mobility refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?

Answer 11

Distal parts are fixed on support surface and proximal segment moves over fixed distal segment

Question 12

What does skill refer to in Roods sequence of motor development?

Answer 12

Distal part of extremity is free from surface and coordinated movement of segment is superimposed on proximal stability

Question 13

What population is sensory integration mostly used in?

Answer 13

Pediatrics

Question 14

What type of input is used in sensory integration?

Answer 14

Tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, vision, and hearing

Question 15

What can be done in sensory integration to help with hyposensitivity?

Answer 15

Participation in specific sensory modalities may lower sensory thresholds

Question 16

What are some keys to sensory integration therapy?

Answer 16

Can’t be random

Does no provide sensory stimulation alone

Not passive

Question 17

What does the brunnstrom method focus on?

Answer 17

Abnormal synergistic patterns and stages of motor recovery following stroke

Question 18

What are synergies?

Answer 18

Coupled muscles contract in sequence

Question 19

What are the stages of motor recovery according to brunnstrom?

Answer 19

Stage 1 is flaccid

To movement into synergistic patterns and spasticity

Ending with stage 6 with isolated movements

Question 20

What did brunnstrom believe?

Answer 20

That each person must move through each stage of recovery which would promote development of synergy (not practiced clinically today)

Question 21

What are the flexion synergy patterns described by brunnstrom?

Answer 21

Scapula retraction and elevation

Shoulder abduction and ER

Elbow flexion

Forearm supination

Wrist flexion

Finger flexion and adduction

Question 22

What are the extension synergy patterns described by brunnstrom?

Answer 22

Hip extension and IR

Knee extension

Ankle PF and inversion

Toes PF

Question 23

What does NDT focus on?

Answer 23

Recovery with strict avoidance of compensation (no use of orthotics or AD)

Question 24

What is true about the NDT intervention?

Answer 24

Very individualized

Question 25

What is a problem with using NDT?

Answer 25

It takes a long time which does not match current healthcare

Question 26

What is posture used for in NDT?

Answer 26

Core stability and alignment

Question 27

What is therapeutic handling of key points of control used for in NDT?

Answer 27

Guiding patient to more normal posture and movement (no practice of abnormal movement)

Question 28

What are the key steps in NDT?

Answer 28

Ask to see the movement (observe and identify constraints)

Facilitate the movement

Progress the movement

Question 29

What does irradiation mean?

Answer 29

Training stronger parts will spread and help weaker parts of body

Question 30

PNF is used in combination with movement patterns to assist what?

Answer 30

Initiation, speed, direction, and timing of movement

Question 31

What is the key to task oriented approach?

Answer 31

Using functional activities (locomotor training on treadmill)

Question 32

How is neurofacilitation different from task oriented approaches?

Answer 32

Has more hands on and guiding of movement

Less functional practice (functional goal less evident)

Does not promote movement exploration by the patient

Question 33

Why would we use neurofacilitation when task oriented approaches seem better?

Answer 33

Due to limited motor function

Allows for more automatic activation

Assists patient to learn desired movement

Question 34

What are the potential disadvantages to using neurofacilitation?

Answer 34

Patient may become dependent on them which could prevent motor learning

Question 35

What is our main goals as PTs for treatment?

Answer 35

Task oriented approach with intensive practice but neurofacilitation may be used if patient does not have the movement to do task oriented approach