Neurological Conditions And Neuroplasticity Flashcards
What is neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity describe the brain’s ability to change and adapt (re-wire) in response to the environment, sensory input, cognitive stimulation, and injury or illness experience(s).
Explain how age effects neuroplasticity.
A developing brain has more neuroplastic potential than an adult one.
List the 6 sensations (senses)
- Vision
- Hearing
- Taste
- Smell
- Touch
- Vestibular
Define presbyopia
Presbyopia = decreased near vision (usually a consequence of aging)
Describe the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (6).
- Rigidity
- Tremors / decreased coordination
- Dyskinesia (involuntary movement of the whole body)
- Shuffling / freezing gait (high is of falls)
- Flat affect (stiffness in facial muscles)
- Dysphagia
Define dyskinesia.
Involuntary and uncontrolled muscle movements ranging from shakes, tics, and tremors to full-body movements. Occurs mainly in face, arms, legs, and trunk.
Describe flat affect.
Feeling emotions but being unable to visually show these emotions. I.e. no facial expressions
Define dysphagia.
Swallow difficulties. High risk of choking when eating or drinking.
Does neurorehabilitation start with an adaptive approach or a remedial approach.
Remedial approach until baseline or plateau, then switch to adaptive approach.
List possible motor impairments post-CNS injury (8).
- Paresis/plagiarism of UE and LE
- Abnormal muscle tone
- Decreased trunk control
- Decreased balance
- Decreased motor control (dyspraxia)
- Decreased sensation
- Edema
- Fatigue or decreased endurance
Define dyspraxia.
Inability to plan movement.
List possible physical assessments that can be done with a neuro client to assess for ROM and muscle strength (3).
ROM = goniometry
Muscle strength = MMT, grip (dynamometer), lateral and traditional pinch
List 3 standardized assessments that can be used to evaluate neuromotor and neurosensory abilities.
- Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT)
- Box and Blocks
- Fugl-Meyer
Describe the purpose of the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT).
Used to measure finger dexterity in patients with neurological diagnoses.
Using one hand, patient places / removes pegs in 3x3 grid containing holes as fast as possible.
Describe the purpose of the Box and Block standardized assessment.
Measures unilateral gross manual dexterity in client with neuromotor conditions.
Use one hand to move blocks (one at a time) from one side of a rectangular container to the opposite side of it (there is a divider in between).
Describe the purpose of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA).
A stroke-specific performance-based assessment used to evaluate motor, functioning, balance, sensation, and joint functioning in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. Provides insight to disease severity and motor recovery.
List the 5 domains in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (155 items total).
- Motor functioning (UE and LE —> score of 0 = hemiplegia)
- Sensory functioning (touch and position sense)
- Balance (seated and standing)
- Joint ROM
- Joint pain
Which joints are assessed in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment? (8)
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Forearm
- Wrist
- Hand
- Hip
- Knee
- Ankle
List 3 functional assessment (ADLs and iADLs) that can be used with neuromotor patients.
- Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI)
- Barthel
- FIM
Describe the purpose of the CAHAI functional assessment.
Assess functional ability in the paretic arm and hand with the goal of promoting bilateral function.
Paretic = partial paralysis
List the 13 functional tasks in the CAHAI.
- Open a jar of coffee
- Call 911
- Draw a line with a ruler
- Put toothpaste on a toothbrush
- Cut medium consistency putty
- Pour a glass of water
- Wring out a washcloth
- Clean a pair of eyeglasses
- Zip up a zipper
- Bottom up 5 buttons
- Dry back with a towel
- Place a container on a table
- Carry a bag up the stairs
Describe the purpose of the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living functional assessment.
An ordinal scale which measures a person’s ability to complete 10 common ADLs:
1. Feeding
2. Bathing
3. Grooming
4. Dressing
5. Bowel
6. Bladder
7. Toileting
8. Transfers (bed-to-chair and vice versa)
9. Mobility on level surfaces
10. Stairs
Items are scored from 0 - 2 and this scale describes different levels of independence:
0 = unable
1 = needs assistance
2 = independent
Sum of scores x 5 to get total score / 100. Higher scores = greater independence. Cut-off score for moderate dependency is 60-61/100.
Define muscle strength
The muscle’s ability to contract and create force in response to resistance.
Explain the difference between paresis and plegia.
Paresis = partial paralysis or weakness (loss of strength) of a body part
Plegia = complete paralysis of a body part