Department
Physical Therapy
Document Type
Article
Publication Source
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
Publication Date
2019-10-26
Volume
37
Issue
10
First Page
1139
Last Page
1145
Abstract
Introduction: Impaired balance is one of the primary causes of functional limitations. Related to sensory deficits specifically, balance disorder in stroke may be caused by decreased central integration of sensory cues, including somatosensory, visual and vestibular input.
Case Presentation: This case describes a 23-year-old male with bilateral thalamic stroke following surgical resection of a recurring optic nerve meningioma. He had a complex medical history and is legally blind. He presented to outpatient neurorehabilitation 5 months following his stroke. He demonstrated absent light touch sensation and absent proprioception and kinesthetic awareness in his upper extremities, lower extremities, and trunk. Secondary to absent proprioception and vision and significant impairments related to shunt malfunction, he required total assistance for all mobility at initial examination.
Discussion: After 8 months of intensive rehabilitation, he demonstrated substantial improvements in all functional mobility and recovery of sensation. Rehabilitation included interventions such as electrical stimulation, fluidotherapy, repetitive task training, and most significantly, external augmented feedback. This feedback included sensory cues, auditory and tactile cues, and maximizing the use of vestibular input. This case demonstrates that neurorehabilitation can benefit patients with impaired use of sensory cues and central integration.
Keywords
Neurorehabilitation, proprioception, vestibular, fluidotherapy, thalamic stroke, vision
DOI
10.1080/09593985.2019.1683920
Recommended Citation
Kelly, C., Meyer, J., Hanks, V., & Barefield, C. (2019). Neurorehabilitation for An Individual with Bilateral Thalamic Stroke and Preexisting Visual Impairment Presenting with Impaired Use of Sensory Cues: A Case Report. Physiotherapy Theory And Practice, 1–7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1683920
https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1683920
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis Group in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. The final, published version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2019.1683920.