Neuroplastic Principles Flashcards
Components of neurorehab
- compensation
- recovery/restoration
Components of neurorehab: compensation
- optimizing new skills while learning new methods to minimize loss of motor function
- use an AFO, adapt environment (ramps, higher toilet seats, grab bars)
- adaptive equipment (walkers, wheelchairs)
Components of neurorehab: recovery/restoration
- restoring loss of motor function/skill
- restoring strength, gait speed, ability to perform
- neuroplasticity
Neurorehab principles
- specificity
- repetition
- intensity
- time
- salience
What does neurorehab presume?
exposure to specific training experiences leads to improvement of impairment by activating neural plasticity mechanisms
Neuroplasticity is dependent upon?
genetic (developmental process)
Experience expectant neuroplasticity
brain is producing brain connections by innate processes and normal development
- vision is a subtype (visual system is developing in a timely fashion based upon the normal expectant sensory input
Which type of neuroplasticity occurs after a neurologic injury?
experience induced
- a vast array of input (motor learning, skilled motor activity, skill adaptation)
What does experience neuroplasticity depend on?
- diet
- type of exercise
- environment
- stress
- natural aging
- neurotrophic factors
- brain reserves
Why is task oriented practice important?
promotes localized brain changes that may be beneficial at the acute stage after stroke
In patients with an acute brain injury the sensorimotor cortex activity is abnormal, what is linked to more recovery?
normalization of motor activity patterns is linked to more recovery (task oriented)
- early rehab start regardless of intensity
- short bursts
ex: sit in chair for 20-30 mins then go to bed, getting up stabilized the motor system to allow for better recovery
Long term potentiation (LTP)
the key to permanent change
Neuroplasticity is?
a constant process in both positive and negative ways
What does long term potentiation involve?
persistent strengthening of synaptic connections occurring from high frequency presynaptic activity
- involves persistent strengthening of synaptic connections occurring fro high frequency presynaptic activity
Changes occur at cellular level:
there are more neurotransmitters in the synaptic clef when you practice and learn which will bring in more receptors
- presynaptic neurotransmitters
- number of postsynaptic receptors
Aerobic exercise and resistive exercise in neurogenesis:
increases cerebral blood flow and hippocampal neurogenesis to enhance memory
Known contributors to neural remodeling:
- increased circulating neurotrophins
- synaptic strengthening
- modified gene expression
- dendritic remodeling
- myeline plasticity
- cytogenesis
Other applications to motor system plasticity:
- motor learning (learning new motor skills enhances neuroplasticity)
- spine density (learning new kills increases dendritic spine density)
How is the basal ganglia affected with motor learning?
when you learn a new skill it creates new dendrites (dentritic spines) in the basal ganglia which enhances brain growth and the neurons survive longer because they’re being used
Examples of skills that can promote neurogenesis
ping pong, swiss ball bowling, sticks
- any that work anticipatory postural control
New skills in people with CVAs
learning (or relearning) a skill with new motor-sensory deficits is similar to learning a new skills
- task based activity will reduce the change of non use
- transfers like sit to stand and bed mobility
- good body mechanics and ground reaction forces
Task based training dosage: stroke
- wait 24 hours to ensure patient is medically stable
- smaller doses more frequently throughout the day
- exercise done in larger amounts starts at 2-3 months after stroke
GREATER THAN 3 HOURS OF REHAB SHOWS BETTER OUTCOMES THAN LESS THAN 3 HOURS
What does strength training do for SCI patients?
increases spinal motor neuron excitability
- strength training in rats showed a greater number of excitatory synapses onto the AHC but no increases in inhibitory synapses
What does co-activation activities do for patients?
leads to changes in spinal cord with reduction in Ia transmission (muscle spindle)
- Ia fibers send inhibitory signals to antagonist muscles which reduces co-activation