Question

What is a "typical" rehabilitation program for a stroke patient. What does Krakauer say is wrong with the ultimate goals of a typical post-stroke rehab program? Relatedly, why is the typical rehab program “nihilistic” according to Nick Ward (quoted in the Helping Hand article).

Answer 1

A "typical" rehabilitation program for a stroke patient includes –

a) Physical therapy

b) Occupational therapy

c) Verbal therapy through speech

According to Krakauer, the above model is old and inadequate as per current scientific knowledge. Krakauer found that stoke issues in USA is closely linked to the degree of initial impairment and thus its recovery is liked to movement training. Based on this theory he focussed on producing new insights into how the brain learns to control the body.

His treatment measure included the following intervention –

a) Increases in the intensity and dosage of treatments with an emphasis on impairment during initial months

b) Noninvasive brain stimulation with robotics based on motor learning and brain plasticity

Typical rehab program is “nihilistic” because it rejects all the theories of “treatment of chronic stroke patient based on impairment and activity theories”.

Nick believed that chronic stroke patients can improvise their condition if they go for clinical impairment and activity with 6-month follow-up period.