This can allow individuals to participate in therapy despite transportation concerns and other barriers, such as time constraints, resource limitations, geographical challenges, or compliance with traditional therapy models. 

But the real question is does stroke telerehabilitation work? In other words, what exactly does stroke telerehabilitation include and is it enough for the needs of stroke survivors? Let’s take a look!

Jump to a section:

What is Stroke Telerehabilitation?
Benefits of Stroke Telerehabilitation
Drawbacks of Stroke Telerehabilitation
Telerehabilitation for Stroke Recovery
Making The Most of Your Tools at Home
Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors: Does it Work?
Telerehabilitation Research in Post-Stroke Therapy
Katy’s Recovery Story

What is Stroke Telerehabilitation?  

Telerehabilitation involves delivering traditional rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy, using virtual technology. Starting around the time live video-conferencing became available in the 1990s, telerehabilitation gradually gained popularity.

In 1997, there were at least 3 telerehabilitation programs. Since then, and especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, telerehabilitation has greatly expanded.  In fact, one study found that nearly 50,000 individuals in the US used telerehabilitation between 2020-2021. Some of these may be as simple as having regular checkins with your therapist over video call. However, other programs go as far to provide direction for exercise and more over the call.

Yet, stroke telerehabilitation doesn’t change the unique needs of stroke survivors trying to recover. Each patient is unique, and their treatment should be, too. Telerehabilitation’s virtual approach enables stroke survivors to receive remote rehabilitation therapy right in their own homes, which can allow them to practice tasks and exercises using tools in their home environment. 

A teletherapist will customize therapy according to each patient’s individual needs using the tools available to them. To optimize recovery outcomes, therapists will often focus on repetitive practice. This boosts neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Individuals often find telerehabilitation an engaging and effective way to pursue recovery after stroke.

Benefits of Stroke Telerehabilitation

Compared with conventional rehabilitation, which often occurs in a clinic setting, telerehabilitation has many benefits. For example, since telerehabilitation can be completed at home, concerns regarding transportation are eliminated. This can help improve adherence to therapy which can improve functional outcomes through a variety of methods including:

• Easy to integrate into daily routine
• Overcomes geographic barriers to healthcare access
• Efficient service delivery
• Allows for realistic practice of skills in the individual’s home environment

Many therapy clinics try to simulate the home environment when practicing tasks such as getting in and out of bed or meal preparation. Rather than trying to carry over skills learned in a clinic to their home environments, individuals receiving stroke telerehabilitation are able to use their own beds, kitchens, living areas, and possessions to practice these tasks.

This, in addition to its increased accessibility, can make telerehabilitation very appealing.

Drawbacks of Stroke Telerehabilitation

Although there are many advantages of using telerehabilitation for stroke recovery, there are a few drawbacks. Potential challenges individuals may face with telerehabilitation include:

• Lack of equipment, software, and space for home-based exercises
• Insufficient internet capacity and/or speed
• Inability to provide hands on guidance, especially important for correcting form and addressing fall risks and other safety concerns
• Limited technology skills, especially among older adults

While these drawbacks are not applicable to everyone, they may be problematic for some individuals considering telerehabilitation.

Telerehabilitation for Stroke Recovery

Many stroke survivors find telerehabilitation engaging, rewarding and motivating. Flexible scheduling can make therapy appointments fit easily into the patient’s day, while working from the comfort of home allows for participation in realistic functional activities.

Examples of telerehabilitation interventions for stroke recovery include:

• Using a device, such as the MusicGlove, to improve hand function, followed by practicing an activity like grasping dishes and silverware with the affected hand to set the table. This integrates the motivational aspects of technology alongside functional practice in the patient’s own kitchen using their own dinnerware.
• Practicing leg range of motion exercises, followed by working on moving from sitting at the edge of the bed to lying down. Practicing these activities in the patient’s own home environment can allow therapists to visualize the situation, work through any challenges, and provide personalized feedback.
• Individuals may work on improving language skills through a virtual reality program with their therapist, then practice using these skills in a conversation with a family member, with the therapist providing cues as needed. If there are areas the patient continues to have trouble with, the therapist can plan to present similar situations through the virtual reality program during the next therapy session.

These examples make it easy to see how telerehabilitation can certainly have advantages. The opportunity to practice real-life scenarios in your own home with immediate therapist feedback can be very beneficial. Rather than practicing a specific skill at a clinic and hoping to use it at home, telerehabilitation allows for real-time practice and problem solving, promoting improved function.

Making The Most of Your Tools at Home

Stroke telerehabilitation uses stroke rehab equipment and technology such as neurorehabilitation devices, robotics, or virtual reality. These tools can provide real-time information that helps your rehabilitation team monitor and track your progress and adjust treatment plans.

Stroke recovery requires consistency and high repetition. Therefore, therapists may use high-tech neurorehabilitation devices so patients can experience an optimized blend of technology and personalized therapy. These devices, such as Flint Rehab’s FitMi home therapy, provide immediate feedback to patients and therapists. Some devices also use smart technology to automatically adapt to the individual’s skill level, providing a just right challenge even as skills improve. 

Between telerehab sessions, stroke recovery apps can help you get your daily therapy dose while keeping your recovery regimen fun and engaging to encourage consistency. Your therapy team will encourage you to practice your home exercise program between therapy sessions, and apps can be an especially helpful and fun way to do so.

Does Telerehabilitation for Stroke Survivors Work?

You may think telerehabilitation for post-stroke care is new, but it came into the limelight in 1999, and patients have been using telerehab for over a decade. Telerehabilitation appointments are easy to set up, giving patients improved access to rehab professionals, including physical, occupational, and speech therapists. 

Shifting the focus to home-based therapy helps to ensure that rehabilitation efforts are relevant to the patient’s real-life needs and goals. During a telerehabilitation visit, therapists review and update exercises with the patients.  At that time, the patient and therapist discuss progress, review exercises, and demonstrate and perform the exercises or activities together. Telerehabilitation programs are increasingly focused on helping patients achieve functional outcomes, such as performing everyday activities in their homes, rather than just improving affected skills.

But you want to know: Does telerehabilitation really work for stroke recovery? Let us outline what the research shows!

Post Stroke Therapy – What the Research Says About Stroke Telerehabilitation

Although it sounds intriguing, many wonder whether telerehabilitation really works for stroke recovery. According to researchers, stroke telerehabilitation can be equally or even more effective than face-to-face care.A review of 13 randomized controlled trials revealed that telerehabilitation may be as effective as usual care for improving motor function, ability to perform activities of daily living, independence, satisfaction, quality of life, and other important outcomes after stroke. 

Therefore, you can feel confident that telerehabilitation is backed by research and can help you make meaningful progress in your stroke recovery, just like in-person rehab sessions.

The following sections outline additional areas of research regarding the effectiveness of telerehabilitation after stroke.

Research in Motor Function

Recent studies highlight that activity-based telerehabilitation works just as well to achieve improvements in arm motor function. While there are fewer reviews regarding the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for lower body function, some studies suggest telerehabilitation may have positive impacts on mobility, lower extremity impairment, strength, and goal attainment.

In a recent systematic review, telerehabilitation is shown to have either better or equal effects on motor function, higher cortical function, and depression in patients, with significant differences observed in 8 out of 22 studies compared with control groups.

Research in Cognition and Language

Studies have also found that telerehabilitation can improve cognitive outcomes, such as working memory and processing speed, perhaps even more so than conventional therapy. For those with post-stroke aphasia, telerehabilitation may also promote language skills, such as auditory comprehension, naming accuracy, and functional communication skills.

Research in Patient Satisfaction

Research shows that individuals are equally satisfied with telerehabilitation as in-person therapy, especially because of the added convenience. Moreover, the comfort of home-based sessions also strengthens adherence to stroke recovery treatment. Patient satisfaction is key in maintaining motivation, compliance to treatment and stamina in the recovery process after a stroke.

Caregiver Benefits

As a stroke survivor, having a supportive caregiver by your side can make a world of difference on your journey to recovery. Telerehabilitation programs don’t just benefit you – research shows they also help your caregivers. Research reports that family caregivers benefit from telerehabilitation because it helps improve caregiver burden, knowledge, and competence.

While there is still more research that can be done to solidify the effectiveness of stroke telerehabilitation, many current studies report positive results.  

In the following section, we’ll share an inspiring story of Katy—a reminder that meaningful recovery is possible after stroke with determination and the proper support. We hope Katy’s tale of resilience will motivate you to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.

Katy’s Recovery Story with Stroke Telerehab

We understand that recovering from a stroke can feel overwhelming at times. But you don’t have to go through this challenging experience alone. Many stroke survivors before you have traveled this road and reclaimed their independence through perseverance and the proper care.

Reading their inspiring stories can provide motivation and hope for your journey. Whether your victory is opening a cabinet to cook for your family or climbing the stairs to sleep in your own bed, every achievement is worth celebrating.

Here is Katy’s stroke recovery story:

Katy is a resilient stroke survivor committed to regaining independence in her daily life. Faced with the challenge of using her affected arm, Katy embarked on a journey of recovery with the support of her occupational therapist via stroke telerehabilitation. Over time, Katy tackled a simple yet significant goal—opening her kitchen drawer using her affected arm. With consistency and repetition, she practiced and translated these movements through virtual guidance into her routine, marking a triumph for her and telerehabilitation methodology. 

This achievement underscored a personal victory for Katy and shows the potential of telerehabilitation in empowering stroke survivors on their path to independence.

Understanding Stroke Telerehabilitation 

Telerehabilitation marks a profound shift in how survivors pursue recovery. Its effectiveness is backed by science, celebrated by patients, and driven by the human touch of expert therapists guiding each session virtually. Deciding if telerehab is right for you depends on a few factors such as your comfort with technology and the type of interaction you prefer with your therapists.

Talk with your doctor to find out more about whether telerehabilitation may be right for you

Additional Resources
Remote Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients: What Sets it Apart? 
Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Rehab

The post Stroke Telerehabilitation: What Is It and Does it Really Work? appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Understanding Neuroplasticity After Stroke

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural pathways. After a stroke, some brain cells may be damaged or die. However, neuroplasticity allows healthy areas of the brain to take over lost functions through repetition and practice. Through targeted exercises, stroke survivors can encourage their brain to form new neural connections, improving movement, speech, and cognitive function.

Principles of Neuroplasticity for Stroke Recovery

To maximize recovery, it’s important to follow these principles:

• Use it or lose it: Functions that are not practiced may decline over time.
• Use it and improve it: Repeatedly practicing a movement or skill strengthens related neural connections.
• Specificity matters: Exercises should be relevant to the desired function.
• Repetition and intensity: High repetition and consistent effort is essential for optimal results.
• Time matters: The brain is most adaptable in the early stages of recovery, but changes due to neuroplasticity are always possible.
• Motivation and engagement: Enjoyable exercises encourage consistent practice.

Best Neuroplasticity Exercises for Stroke Recovery

The best neuroplasticity exercises after stroke differ for everyone. Every stroke is unique, and each survivor’s recovery process is different. Depending on the severity and location of your stroke, some of these exercises may be too easy, too hard, irrelevant, or just right for you. 

Use the following list of exercises as a starting point, focusing on those that address skills that were affected by your stroke. Talk with a physical, occupational, or speech therapist to learn more about neuroplasticity exercises that may be best for your specific needs and abilities.

1. Hand and Arm Exercises

Hand and arm functions are crucial for daily activities. Those who have limited hand coordination and movement may benefit from  simple but effective hand exercises during stroke recovery, such as finger tapping, where you tap each finger to your thumb, one at a time. Start slow and increase speed gradually to enhance dexterity and coordination.

Wrist curls can help improve grip strength by holding a light object, curling the wrist upward, then lowering it. Another effective arm exercise for stroke recovery is reaching and grasping, where you practice picking up objects of different sizes, textures, and weights, encouraging fine motor control and strength.

For a more structured approach, Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) involves restricting the unaffected hand while performing tasks with the affected hand, forcing the brain to strengthen weak connections. Consult your occupational therapist to see whether this could be appropriate for you.

2. Leg and Walking Exercises

Restoring mobility is key to independence which makes leg exercises and important part of any stroke recovery plan!

Seated marching is a good starting point: sit in a chair with feet flat, lift one knee, lower it, and repeat with the other leg to rebuild hip and leg strength. Toe taps, where you sit or stand and tap your toes up and down, improve ankle mobility and coordination. Standing exercises like heel raises, where you slowly lift your heels off the ground and lower them, help build calf strength and balance.

Sit to stand exercises, where you transfer from sitting to standing and back again, can improve leg strength and endurance. Finally, weight shifting, which involves shifting weight from side to side while standing, enhances balance and stability. 

Always keep safety in mind while practicing neuroplasticity exercises, especially when standing. If needed, ask a family member or caregiver to stay nearby, or use a supportive surface like a countertop for stability.

3. Cognitive and Speech Exercises

Stroke can impact speech and thinking skills, so cognitive exercises are important.

Word association games, where you name a category (like animals) and list as many as possible, help strengthen memory and verbal skills. Tongue and lip exercises, such as sticking out your tongue and moving it side to side or puckering your lips, can improve articulation and speech clarity.

Reading aloud can also be beneficial, as it strengthens speech muscles and fluency. For memory improvement, playing matching games can boost focus and problem solving skills.

4. Mirror Therapy

Mirror therapy is an innovative approach that uses a mirror to create the illusion of movement in the affected limb. To do this, place a mirror between your arms or legs and move the unaffected limb while watching its reflection. This simple exercise helps train the brain to rewire movement pathways and regain function.

5. Music and Rhythm Therapy

Music stimulates multiple brain areas and can enhance recovery. Hand drumming, where you tap fingers or hands to a rhythm, enhances coordination and timing. Singing therapy, which involves singing along to familiar songs, supports speech recovery and breathing control, making it a fun and engaging way to regain language skills.

6. Task-Specific Training

Performing everyday tasks repeatedly helps restore independence. Brushing teeth with the affected hand, cooking simple meals, or practicing buttoning and zipping clothing can improve fine motor control and encourage neuroplasticity in a meaningful way.

7. Mental Imagery and Visualization

Even if movement is limited, thinking about movements can activate brain pathways. Close your eyes and imagine moving parts of your body that are weak or immobile. Visualize yourself performing specific tasks such as lifting your arm or walking, focusing on detailed, controlled movements. This type of mental practice can help the brain reinforce motor pathways before actual physical movement is achieved.

8. Adaptive Physical Activities

Exercises adapted to individual abilities encourage neuroplasticity. Yoga and stretching can improve flexibility and mind-body awareness, while Tai Chi may enhance balance and coordination with slow, controlled movements. Water therapy, where movements are performed in water, reduces strain while improving strength and mobility.

9. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

FES uses electrical pulses to activate muscles and improve movement. It is particularly helpful for weak or paralyzed muscles and aids in recovering from secondary conditions, such as foot drop.

10. Virtual Reality and Gaming Therapy

Interactive exercises using video games can make recovery more engaging. Virtual reality rehab games encourage movement, while balance-based games help improve coordination in a fun and immersive way. The MusicGlove and FitMi here at Flint Rehab are two game-based therapy options that have been clinically proven and offer a 30 day money back guarantee for you to try!

Tips for Maximizing Neuroplasticity from Exercise After Stroke

• Practice daily: Frequent exercises reinforce new neural pathways.
• Integrate exercises into your routine: Makes it easier to remember to practice.
• Set small goals: Achievable milestones keep motivation high.
• Stay consistent: Regular practice yields the best results.
• Use different exercises: Variety keeps the brain engaged.
• Stay positive: A hopeful mindset encourages progress.

Final Thoughts

Exercises are key to stroke recovery and stimulating neuroplasticity. Whether improving movement, speech, or cognitive function, consistent practice leads to progress. By engaging in repetitive, focused activities, the brain can rebuild connections and restore abilities. Start with small steps, stay committed, and celebrate every achievement along the way.

The post Neuroplasticity Exercises After Stroke: 10 Strategies to Rewire Your Brain for Recovery appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This guide will walk you through several essential coordination exercises designed for stroke patients, helping to enhance your mobility, balance, and overall quality of life.

Understanding Coordination After a Stroke

A stroke can affect the brain’s ability to control movement, often leading to muscle weakness, loss of balance, and impaired hand-eye coordination. Depending on the severity and location of the stroke, individuals may experience challenges such as:

• Difficulty grasping objects after stroke
• Unsteady walking
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Limited control over fine motor skills

The goal of coordination exercises is to retrain the brain and body to work together effectively. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to form new neural connections and improve motor function over time.

The exercises below serve as an introduction, providing a well-rounded look at just a few of the many coordination exercises that can promote recovery. However, depending on your specific condition, some of the exercises listed here may target areas of the body that were not affected, or may be too difficult or too easy.

Focus on exercises that target areas of the body affected by your stroke that are challenging, but still doable. A physical or occupational therapist can provide personalized guidance on which types of coordination exercises may be most beneficial for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the best coordination exercises for stroke recovery.

Upper Body Coordination Exercises for Stroke

1. Seated Shoulder Taps

Seated shoulder taps help improve arm control and stability by engaging the upper body and retraining muscle coordination. This exercise is simple yet effective in enhancing proprioception and movement awareness.

How to Do It:

• Sit in a sturdy chair with feet flat on the ground.
• Raise your right hand and tap your left shoulder.
• Lower your hand and repeat with the left hand to the right shoulder.
• Perform 10 repetitions per side.
• Use a mirror for visual feedback as needed

2. Tabletop Finger Taps

This exercise improves dexterity and finger coordination, which are essential for tasks such as writing, buttoning a shirt, or using utensils. Practicing controlled finger movements strengthens fine motor skills.

How to Do It:

• Sit at a table with your hands resting on the surface.
• Lift one finger at a time and tap it on the table.
• Move sequentially from the thumb to the pinky and back.
• Repeat for 2-3 minutes.

3. Arm Circles

Arm circles help improve shoulder mobility and coordination, allowing for better control of upper limb movements. This exercise also engages stabilizing muscles in the arms and shoulders.

How to Do It:

• Sit or stand with arms extended out to the sides.
• Make small circles with your arms.
• Gradually increase the circle size.
• Perform for 30 seconds in each direction.

For more upper body exercises that help with stroke recovery, check out our video Arm Exercises for Stroke Patients on YouTube!

Lower Body Coordination Exercises for Stroke

4. Seated Marching

Seated marching strengthens leg coordination and balance, making walking and standing easier. It also promotes better lower-body mobility.

How to Do It:

• Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor.
• Lift one knee toward the chest and lower it.
• Alternate legs in a marching motion.
• Perform for 1-2 minutes.

5. Heel-to-Toe Walking

Heel-to-toe walking is excellent for improving balance after stroke as well as gait control. It strengthens the stabilizing muscles in the legs and improves walking confidence.

How to Do It:

• Stand upright and place one foot directly in front of the other, heel touching the toe.
• Take slow, controlled steps forward.
• Use a wall or support for balance if needed.
• Walk 10-15 steps in a straight line.

6. Ankle Circles

Ankle circles enhance flexibility and coordination in the ankles, which is crucial for maintaining balance and stability while walking.

How to Do It:

• Sit in a chair and lift one foot off the ground.
• Rotate the ankle in a circular motion.
• Perform 10 circles in each direction before switching feet.

For more lower body exercises that help with stroke recovery, check out our video Leg Exercises for Stroke Patients on YouTube!

Hand and Finger Coordination Exercises for Stroke

7. Finger-to-Nose Touch

Finger-to-nose touch is a classic coordination exercise that improves hand-eye coordination and motor control.

How to Do It:

• Extend one arm out to the side.
• Slowly bring the index finger to touch the nose.
• Extend the arm back out and repeat.
• Perform 10 repetitions per hand.
• Again, a mirror can be used to provide visual feedback if this is too challenging initially

8. Coin Pickups

Coin pickups strengthen fine motor skills and grip strength, which are essential for everyday tasks like handling small objects.

How to Do It:

• Place a few coins on a table.
• Use the affected hand to pick up each coin and place it in a cup.
• Repeat for 2-3 minutes.
• For a challenge, pick up 2-3 coins at a time, transferring each one into your hand while using just your index finger and thumb to pick up new coins.

9. Wrist Flexion and Extension

This exercise helps improve wrist control and dexterity, aiding in activities that require precise wrist movements.

How to Do It:

• Hold a small weight or resistance band.
• Slowly bend the wrist upward, then lower it back down.
• Perform 10-15 repetitions per hand.

For more hand exercises that help with stroke recovery, check out our video Arm Exercises for Stroke Patients on YouTube!

Balance and Stability Exercises for Stroke

10. Standing Weight Shifts

Standing weight shifts enhance weight distribution awareness and balance control, making standing and walking more stable.

How to Do It:

• Stand with feet hip-width apart.
• Shift weight slowly to one side, lifting the opposite foot slightly.
• Hold for a few seconds, then shift to the other side.
• Repeat 10 times per side.

11. One-Leg Stand

One-leg stands help strengthen stabilizing muscles and improve balance. This can be critical in helping reduce the risk of falls for post stroke survivors.

How to Do It:

• Stand next to a sturdy surface for support.
• Lift one foot off the ground and hold for 5-10 seconds.
• Switch legs and repeat.
• Perform 5-10 repetitions per leg.

12. Side-to-Side Stepping

Side-to-side stepping builds lateral balance and coordination, making side movements more controlled and stable.

How to Do It:

• Stand with feet hip-width apart.
• Step one foot to the side, then bring the other foot to meet it.
• Continue stepping side to side for 1-2 minutes.

Visual and Cognitive Coordination Exercises for Stroke

13. Ball Tracking

Ball tracking improves visual tracking and hand-eye coordination, which are crucial for handling objects and navigating environments.

How to Do It:

• Hold a small ball in one hand and toss it gently to the other.
• Focus on watching the ball as it moves.
• Continue for 1-2 minutes.

14. Letter or Number Tracing

Letter and number tracing helps combine cognitive and motor functions, improving fine motor skills and brain engagement.

How to Do It:

• Use a pen or finger to trace letters or numbers on a surface.
• Try writing in the air to challenge coordination.
• Perform for a few minutes daily.

Creating a Routine for Long-Term Progress

Consistency is key to neuroplasticity and improving coordination after a stroke. Here are a few tips to help you get in a routine and maintain progress:

• Perform exercises daily or several times a week.
• Gradually increase the difficulty level.
• Combine exercises to work on different muscle groups.
• Track improvements to stay motivated.
• Seek guidance from a physical or occupational therapist if needed.

Final Thoughts

Recovering coordination after a stroke requires patience and persistence. By incorporating these exercises into a daily routine, stroke survivors can regain mobility, balance, and fine motor skills.

Remember, always focus on slow, controlled movements and celebrate progress along the way. With dedication and the right approach, it is possible to enhance coordination and improve your overall quality of life as you continue to recover!

The post Coordination Exercises for Stroke Patients: 14 Expert Approved Ideas to Boost Recovery After Stroke appeared first on Flint Rehab.

These activities help stimulate neural pathways, increase neuroplasticity, promote cognitive recovery, and improve overall brain health. Today we will take a look at 12 practical brain exercises for stroke recovery that will help you to challenge your brain after stroke – plus you can do them from anywhere!

Jump to a section

Why Brain Exercises Matter for Stroke Recovery
Effective Brain Exercises for Stroke Recovery
Adding Brain Exercises to Your Stroke Recovery Routine

Why Brain Exercises Matter in Stroke Recovery

After a stroke, individuals may experience a number of physical, cognitive, and emotional effects. Depending on which areas of the brain sustained damage, individuals may have difficulties with memory, problem-solving, speech, emotional regulation, and/or motor skills. 

This is where brain exercises matter and can be beneficial. Regular mental stimulation through brain exercises can:

• Stimulate Neuroplasticity: Encouraging the brain to form new pathways.
• Improve Cognitive Functions: Enhancing skills like attention, reasoning, and recall.
• Support Emotional Health: Fostering a sense of accomplishment and reducing frustration after stroke.
• Enhance Physical Recovery: Improving cognitive skills, such as attention and working memory, may also help boost participation and performance in physical rehabilitation.

With these benefits in mind, incorporating targeted brain exercises into your recovery plan is essential.  Now, let’s explore 12 effective brain exercises after stroke that can help survivors.

Effective Brain Exercises for Stroke Recovery

1. Memory Games

Memory challenges are a common hurdle after a stroke, but engaging in memory-focused activities can help improve recall and cognitive processing. Simple games and exercises are a great way to start rebuilding these skills.

Some simple examples you can try out include:

• Matching card games.
• Memory puzzles.
• Apps like Lumosity or Elevate for interactive cognitive exercises.

To begin, focus on straightforward tasks, like matching two identical cards, and gradually increase the difficulty as your confidence grows. These activities are a great option for brain exercises after stroke that will not only strengthen short-term memory but may also improve focus and concentration.

2. Word Association Activities

Rebuilding language skills is essential for stroke recovery, especially for those facing aphasia or other speech difficulties. Word association exercises are a practical and engaging way to retrain language pathways.

A few ways you can use this activity:

• Pick a word, such as “summer,” and think of related terms like “sun,” “beach,” or “vacation.”
• Use word association apps or verbal games with a caregiver or family member for support.
• Try games such as Scattergories or Taboo, which can encourage language retrieval skills. Modify these by playing at your own pace with just one or two others in a distraction-free environment.

Word association activities can strengthen vocabulary, improve language recall, and foster verbal communication skills, making them a valuable tool for your recovery.

Pro tip: Start by practicing word association with common and familiar words, gradually moving to more abstract or less obvious associations as your confidence grows.

3. Simple Math Problems

Numerical reasoning can be affected after a stroke. However, practicing basic math exercises can help restore logical thinking and problem-solving abilities making them a great brain exercise for stroke survivors.

Examples

• Solve simple arithmetic problems, such as addition, subtraction, or multiplication.
• Engage with number-based puzzles like Sudoku or math-focused apps.

Begin with straightforward problems, using tools like a calculator for assistance if needed. As your skills improve, increase the complexity to challenge yourself. Stay consistent as regular practice will strengthen cognitive processing as well as rebuild confidence in handling everyday numerical tasks.

4. Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are an enjoyable way to enhance spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and concentration—key areas often impacted by a stroke. You should start with puzzles that have larger pieces and a simpler design, referring to a picture of the completed puzzle as needed. Then as you begin to feel more comfortable, progress to smaller pieces with more complex patterns.

The key is to choose puzzles that align with your current skill level and ask for assistance from family or caregivers if needed. 

5. Drawing or Coloring

Creative exercises like drawing or coloring offer a calming and productive way to aid motor skill recovery and improve focus.

Basic Tips:

• Use coloring books with large, simple patterns.
• Try sketching basic shapes or tracing outlines for added variety.

Remember to focus on relaxing as you work and use tools that are easy to grip, such as larger crayons or pens. These activities not only enhance hand control and dexterity but also reduce stress, providing a therapeutic outlet during recovery.

6. Reading Aloud

Reading aloud engages the brain areas responsible for speech, auditory processing, and cognitive function, making it a vital tool for rebuilding language skills.

To begin, start with simple sentences or a children’s book with large print. Then, as your skills improve, progress to longer stories or articles. You can even pair this activity with audiobooks or read along with a caregiver to get feedback and support.

In terms of brain exercise after a stroke, this activity can improve articulation, rhythm, and confidence in verbal communication, which can help you feel more comfortable expressing yourself.

7. Naming Objects

Naming objects is a simple yet effective exercise for improving language recall and mental organization, making it ideal for stroke recovery.

Examples

• Identify items in your environment, such as “chair,” “lamp,” or “table.”
• Challenge yourself by describing each item’s function or characteristics.

Start with familiar objects and progress to less common items to keep the exercise stimulating. Consistent practice with this activity enhances word retrieval, improves mental clarity, and strengthens your confidence in verbal communication.

8. Listening to Music

Music therapy stimulates the brain in unique ways, making it a valuable tool for cognitive and emotional recovery.

Choose music that resonates with you. For a more well-rounded exercise, consider singing along, tapping your hand or foot to the beat, or even dancing (while seated or with assistance for safety if needed). You might also consider using stroke rehab tools like MusicGlove to combine rhythm with specific hand exercises. Engaging with music can help improve memory, reduce anxiety, and foster emotional well-being – all while stimulating multiple brain areas.

9. Meditation and Mindfulness

Mindfulness and meditation improve mental clarity, reduce stress, and rebuild focus, making them an excellent addition to stroke recovery. Some may also choose to combine mindfulness and meditation with yoga or a similar practice for enhanced physical benefits.

Create a quiet, distraction-free space to fully engage in mindfulness practice. Regular meditation can help improve attention, promote relaxation, and enhance emotional resilience, supporting your overall recovery.

10. Storytelling

Storytelling exercises engage memory, speech, and creativity, making them a well-rounded activity for cognitive recovery.

Examples to try:

• Retell a favorite story or share personal memories with loved ones.
• Create new stories using prompts or photographs for inspiration.

Work with a caregiver or loved one who can ask questions to guide your narrative. Storytelling can help strengthen memory recall, improve verbal expression, and foster a sense of connection and creativity.

11. Physical and Cognitive Dual-Tasking

Combining physical activity with cognitive tasks engages multiple brain regions, enhancing coordination and overall cognitive flexibility.

Examples

• Count your steps while walking around your home.
• Name categories of animals or objects while tossing a ball back and forth.

Incorporating tools like the FitMi Home Therapy System can help combine physical and cognitive tasks effectively. In addition, it provides a way to track your progress over time and see improvements.

This dual-tasking approach helps improve multitasking abilities, boost coordination, and enhance overall brain health, making it a powerful addition to your recovery plan.

12. Mental Practice and Motor Imagery

Using mental practice and motor imagery can enhance motor skills while also boosting attention and focus. When combined with conventional therapy, studies have shown that mentally visualizing yourself performing a task, such as raising your arm above your head, can improve performance.

If there is a specific movement or task you’ve been working on, practice visualizing yourself completing it successfully before actually trying. Over time, mental practice can help kickstart adaptive changes in the brain, leading to functional improvements. 

Adding Brain Exercises to Your Stroke Recovery Routine

Stroke recovery requires patience, persistence, and the right tools. Incorporating these 12 brain exercises into your rehabilitation routine can help improve cognitive abilities, rebuild confidence, and enhance quality of life.

In addition, tools like FitMi and MusicGlove add a layer of engagement, making therapy not just effective but enjoyable. 

Remember, recovery is a journey, and every small step brings you closer to regaining independence and well-being. Stay consistent, celebrate your milestones, and remain open to trying new approaches that make your journey both productive and rewarding.

The post Brain Exercises for Stroke Recovery: 12 Therapist Approved Exercises to Add To Your Recovery Routine appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Every attempt made and each movement you make, no matter how small, is a step on the road to recovery. In this article, we will discuss why “one more time” is so important in both traditional and remote stroke rehab and how it can help you or a loved one recover.

This is the final article in a 3-part blog series exploring telerehabilitation for stroke recovery. 

Be sure to check out the entire series to learn more about what telerehabilitation is and how it works: 

Jump to a Section

The Power of Repetition in Stroke Rehabilitation 
The Science of Repetition in Stroke Rehabilitation
Bringing Research Into Practice
Steve’s Story of Repetition Through Stroke Telerehabilitation
Repetition Through Telerehabilitation for Stroke Recovery
Understanding Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Recovery

The Power of Repetition in Stroke Rehabilitation 

Years of research have shown that one factor repeatedly stands out in stroke recovery: the power of repetition. After a stroke, the brain has the miraculous ability to reorganize itself, thanks to a process called neuroplasticity. High repetitions of task-specific movements fortify this rewiring process and form new neural connections.

By repeatedly practicing specific movements and tasks over and over again, you strengthen the new neural connections being formed in your brain. The more an exercise or activity is repeated, the more it reinforces those new pathways.

For stroke survivors, doing the same rehabilitative exercises and practice activities many, many times is key to rewiring the brain and regaining abilities. The power of repetition harnesses the brain’s neuroplasticity to maximize recovery.

Here’s what the research says about the importance of repetition in stroke recovery.

The Science of Repetition in Stroke Rehabilitation

A notable study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2018) found a strong positive correlation between the frequency of upper limb exercises and motor recovery in stroke survivors. Another study in the  Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2019) highlighted the effectiveness of high-intensity, repetitive task training for improving arm function.

The underlying message from this research makes it clear that doing more repetitions helps improve recovery outcomes.

Bringing Research Into Practice 

Meta-analyses and reviews from sources like the Cochrane Library and the European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine consolidate numerous studies. This research reinforces the importance of repetition, as highlighted in Steve’s story below. The research concludes that high-repetition, task-oriented therapy significantly enhances upper limb motor function.

What does this mean for stroke survivors? It emphasizes the necessity of integrating the affected side into daily activities to create a living rehabilitation environment. 

Research suggests that between 300 and 600 repetitions of challenging functional tasks per day are needed for tangible neuroplasticity. The formula for recovery is clear: Engage in intentional, repetitive movements incessantly.

Everyone has a unique stroke recovery journey. Though each experience is distinct, learning how others overcame their challenges can be inspiring and reassuring. 

Here is Steve’s stroke recovery story through telerehabilitation.

Steve’s Story of Repetition Through Stroke Telerehabilitation 

Real-life examples show the power of repetition and further validate what the research suggests. Take Steve, a stroke survivor who faced the common challenge of learned nonuse. For years, Steve had stopped using his affected hand. He primarily relied on his unaffected side to complete everyday tasks. 

But things changed when Steve decided to start using his affected hand again in daily routines. Steve’s commitment to repetition was anything but easy. 

At first, even holding a water bottle was hard for Steve. Through perseverance and regular, intentional practice, he learned to control his grip and became adept at using his once-dormant hand. 

Today, Steve has not only regained control to open a bottle smoothly but can also sign his name legibly. These were tasks he couldn’t do for 15 years after his stroke! 

This is the kind of progress that comes from doing things “one more time.”

Repetition Through Telerehabilitation for Stroke Recovery

Sometimes it can be difficult for stroke survivors to access rehabilitation services. This may be due to problems with transportation, getting around, or living far away from hospitals and clinics.

With telerehabilitation, patients can meet with a skilled therapist from their homes for assessment and therapy visits through secure videoconferencing platforms. Physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy can all be performed in this virtual format.

Stroke survivors can work on repetition and rebuilding skills affected by their stroke, such as:

• Motor Skills and Movement: Home-based physical and occupational therapy programs can help stroke survivors regain strength, flexibility, and motor control in their arms and legs. Therapists will guide you remotely through personalized routines that incorporate repetition into exercise and performing activities of daily living.
• Communication: If you’re struggling with aphasia or other communication disorders after a stroke, telerehab provides access to speech-language pathologists and virtual support technologies that encourage practice and high repetition of communication skills.
• Cognitive and Speech Rehabilitation: Telerehabilitation for stroke recovery can deliver interventions targeting cognitive impairments like memory loss, problem-solving difficulties, and speech disorders.

Understanding Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Recovery

As we have outlined, the evidence is clear that “one more time” matters in stroke recovery. Are you ready to take a step toward empowering yourself with the support, expertise, and technology you need to maximize your recovery?

Stroke rehab shouldn’t feel like an insurmountable hurdle. You will want to work together with your physical and occupational therapist to create a plan that uses repetition as your stepping stone to reclaim independence, one movement at a time.

Additional Resources for Stroke Telerehabilitation
Remote Rehabilitation for Stroke Patients: What Sets it Apart? 
Stroke Telerehabilitation: Does it Really Work? 

The post Telerehabilitation for Stroke – Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Rehab appeared first on Flint Rehab.

It’s important to find core exercises that are safe and suitable for your level of ability. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the most effective core exercises for stroke patients. Use the links below to jump straight to any section of this article.

• Why Core Strength Matters During Stroke Recovery
• Beginner Core Exercises
• Intermediate Core Exercises
• Advanced Core Exercises
• Practicing Core Exercises at Home

Why Core Strength Matters During Stroke Recovery

Core exercises strengthen muscles that maintain your balance and stability throughout the body. A strong core will keep your body balanced walking, standing, and sitting. To understand how this works, let’s look at how a stroke impacts movement in the body.

Each hemisphere of the brain controls movement on the opposite side of the body. When a stroke damages the areas of the brain that control movement, it can result in motor difficulties on either the right or left side of the body referred to as hemiparesis.

When one side of the body is impaired while the other side is not,  your balance can be  affected. Fortunately, stroke rehabilitation exercises help rebuild strength and coordination throughout the body, including the core, via neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to rewire itself and heal after an injury such as a stroke. As neural connections are created and strengthened, communication between the brain and the affected muscles is improved. This leads to better trunk control, dynamic balance, standing balance, posture, and gait.

To activate neuroplasticity, it helps to practice high repetition of core exercises for stroke patients. The more a movement is practiced, the more the brain will reinforce the neural connections for that movement. This is how physical functions, including core stability, are restored after a stroke.

Effective Core Exercises for Stroke Patients

To help you rebuild core strength and coordination after a stroke, we’ve gathered 15 effective core exercises that you can do at home. It’s important to work closely with your therapist to adjust these stroke exercises to your level of ability and make sure they are safe for you.

Before we get started, here’s a video from Flint Rehab that walks you through some beginner-level core exercises for stroke patients. If you have limited mobility, this is a great starting place. If you have a high level of existing mobility, you can use this video as a warm-up.

Following along with a rehabilitation exercise video can be helpful to stay focused. However, some may prefer written versions of the exercises. We’ve included these below.

1. Back Extensor Isometric Hold

Sit at the edge of a seat and lean back against the chair. Hold this position for a few seconds or as long as you can. Then, use your core muscles to sit up straight and return to your starting position. Repeat 15 times.

2. Trunk Rotation (Twists)

For this core exercise, begin by placing your right hand on the outside of your left thigh. With your back straight, use your arm to help twist your torso to the left. You can use your unaffected hand for assistance. Be sure to keep your spine straight imagine there is a string from your head to the ceiling lifting your head up straight as you twist. Stop twisting if you feel any pain. Then, return to the initial position. Complete this trunk rotation 15 times in each direction.

3. Lateral Trunk Flexion (Oblique Crunches)

Begin this trunk control exercise in a seated position. Dip your left shoulder down towards your left hip and then return to an upright position, focusing on using your core muscles to pull yourself up. If needed, you can use your arm to help push you back up. Repeat this seated core exercise on each side 15 times.

4. Seated Trunk Extension

Keep your back straight while sitting at the edge of your seat. Slowly, lean forward flexing at your hip rather than your waist.  Then, engage your core muscles to lean back until you tap the back of your seat. You may use your arms for an added boost. Hold for about 5 seconds, or as long as you can, and then return to an upright position. Repeat 15 times.

5. Trunk Circles

Starting in a seated position, slowly lean forward. Then, slowly move your trunk clockwise, keeping your core muscles engaged. Feel your weight shift from one hip to the other side as you move in a circle. The larger the circles you make, the more challenging this exercise becomes. Complete this 15 times, rotating in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

Intermediate Core Exercises for Stroke Patients

After mastering the exercises included in the video above, you may be ready to complete some more challenging core-strengthening exercises. Some of these may be more difficult if you have trouble with your seated balance. Always have someone nearby the first time you are attempting these core strengthening exercises to ensure that you can complete them safely.

6. Forward and Lateral Punches

In a seated position, clasp your hands together and then punch forward. Use your trunk to lean forward while keeping your arms parallel to the floor. Go as far forward as you can safely without falling. Then, use your back muscles to come back up. To complete lateral punches, remain seated and interlace your fingers. Extend your arms in front of you with your elbows straight, then, lean to the right and “punch” the air. Return to center and repeat, completing 15 repetitions in each direction. Although you may feel pressure in your core, if you feel any pain in your back, stop immediately.

7. Seated Marches

Begin this exercise by sitting on the edge of a seat. Then, alternate lifting each leg and bringing the knees up. Focus on engaging your core throughout this exercise. For an added challenge, stand holding onto the back of your chair and complete marches in place.

8. Leg Rotations

For this core exercise, lie down on a mat with your knees bent at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. With control, let your knees fall to the right and gently rotate your truck to help lower your legs. Then lift your knees back up to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Complete 15 repetitions.

Throughout this exercise, focus on engaging your core and keep your lower back flat against the floor the entire time. As soon as you feel your lower back beginning to lift off the floor, stop rotating and return to the starting position.

9. Leg Raises

Similar to the leg rotation exercise, lie on your mat with your knees bent at 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor. Extend your leg until your knee is straight. Then, bend at the hip and lift your leg as far as you can safely, then bring it back down. Repeat 10 times on each side.

Advanced Core Exercises for Stroke Patients

The following exercises are advanced moves that should only be attempted once you have regained enough strength and coordination in your core. Ask your therapist if they are suitable for you, along with any extra tips for modification.

10. Bridges

For this trunk control exercise, lie on your back with both knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Use your core to scoop your glutes up, making sure not to sway to either side. Then, release your body back down and repeat 10 times. This exercise targets the core, glutes, and hamstrings to improve strength and stability throughout the body.

11. Crossbody Leg Lift

To perform this advanced core exercise, lie on the floor with your arms and legs flat. Then, lift your left foot and tap it with your right hand. Alternate with your right leg and left arm and repeat 10 times. If it is too challenging at first, you can lift and tap your elbow to the opposite knee.

12. Crunches

Crunches are challenging core exercises for stroke patients. While lying on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, place your hands on your thighs. Then, lift your core and slide your hands up to your knees, or as high as you can safely go. Then, release back down. Complete 30 crunches.

While performing this exercise, it’s important not to pull on your head or strain your neck. If you feel any pain, stop immediately. Instead, lift as high up as you can using your core muscles, and then release back down.

13. Toe Taps

While lying on your mat, assume a tabletop position by lifting your legs with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Your shins should be parallel to the floor and your core should be fully engaged. Then, from this position, bring one leg down and gently tap the floor with your foot.

Bring your leg back up by using your core muscles, keeping your knee bent at a 90-degree angle throughout the exercise. Alternate with the other leg, all while keeping your core as engaged as possible. Repeat this core exercise 15 times.

14. Kneeling Planks

To perform kneeling planks, start in a tabletop position on the floor. Then, move your knees back until your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Hold for 20 seconds or longer if you want more of a challenge. To reduce the intensity, you can move down to your forearms.

15. Knee to Chest

To perform kneeling planks, start in a tabletop position on the floor. Then, move your knees back until your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Hold for 20 seconds or longer if you want more of a challenge. To reduce the intensity, you can move down to your forearms.

Practicing Trunk Control Exercises at Home

The best way to see results from your core exercises is to practice on a consistent basis at home. This will provide your brain with the stimulation it needs to rewire itself and improve control over your affected muscles.

While the core exercises provided in this post are helpful, it can be hard to follow along with them daily. Since consistent exercise is the key to recovery, it’s important to do something extra for yourself to stay motivated to exercise at home. This is why interactive neurorehabilitation devices like the FitMi from Flint Rehab can help. It takes classic rehabilitation exercises, much like the ones in this article, and turns them into an interactive experience.

As you follow along to the exercises on the screen, FitMi provides real-time feedback and unlocks more challenging exercises as you improve. It also allows you to target specific muscle groups including the hand, arm, legs, and core.

Completing rehabilitative exercises is a great way to get the repetitions needed to improve your core strength. As you continue to progress, you may be ready to try some more engaging activities that strengthen your core, such as swimming, yoga, or Pilates. These activities often include repetitive motions and can be more enjoyable than rote exercises. Always consult with your therapist before starting any new core strengthening activities to ensure that you are safe to do so.

Understanding Core Exercises for Stroke Patients

As previously mentioned, it can be challenging to stay motivated and practice core exercises at home after a stroke. Fortunately, with a combination of therapy resources, you can boost your motivation and achieve your goals more swiftly.

Core exercises are particularly helpful for improving balance and walking, two common challenges that many survivors face. You will see the best results by practicing your exercises consistently.

We hope this article helped you understand the importance of retraining your core and provided plenty of places to start exercising.

The post Core Exercises for Stroke Patients: 15 Ways to Improve Trunk Control, Gait, & Balance appeared first on Flint Rehab.

Telerehabilitation or remote rehabilitation is an innovative approach that uses different forms of telecommunications technologies to facilitate the delivery of personalized rehabilitation services directly to a patient at home. But what sets it apart? What makes it so compelling for those on the path to recovery?

In this article we describe what sets remote rehabilitation apart from traditional rehabilitation. This is the first article in a 3-part blog series exploring telerehabilitation for stroke recovery. 

Jump to a section:

Accessibility and Convenience of Remote Rehab from Home
Remote Rehab: A Personalized Approach
Case Study: Post-Stroke Remote Rehabilitation
Leveraging Technology for Post Stroke Recovery Remotely
Does Remote Rehabilitation Work?
Remote Rehabilitation and the Path to Recovery

Accessibility and Convenience of Remote Rehab from Home

Remote rehabilitation programs seamlessly integrate with your or your loved ones’ lives in the most convenient way possible – at home. A core advantage of stroke telerehabilitation is that it eliminates the barriers of distance and the constraints of a clinic-based schedule.

For stroke survivors who may struggle with transportation or find their physical energy waning, the ability to engage in therapy from the comfort of their living room bridges gaps, particularly for those in rural areas or with limited healthcare resources.

Remote rehab allows patients to meet with a skilled therapist for assessment and therapy visits via secure videoconferencing platforms. Physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy can all be performed in this virtual format.

Remote Rehab Offers A Personalized Approach

The transition from traditional outpatient rehabilitation to a remote rehabilitation model represents more than just a shift in location. Many believe that virtual rehabilitation is a shift toward more personalized care. When your living space becomes a rehab clinic, every fork, cup, and clothing stitch transforms into a therapeutic tool.

Mastering activities of daily living post-stroke requires active participation in rehabilitative sessions that are tailored to harness the brain’s neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to reorganize itself based on experiences and is pivotal in relearning skills affected by stroke. It enables the brain to adapt and reorganize, facilitating the acquisition of lost skills.

Through guided exercises and real-life simulations, remote stroke rehabilitation ensures that every movement serves a functional purpose and aids in reconstructive efforts post-stroke. For instance, in a telerehab session, a therapist might guide a patient virtually through exercises such as using utensils to mimic cutting food. Consistent practice stimulates brain activity, enhancing the ability to perform fine motor tasks in a real-world scenario, like using utensils.

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Post-Stroke Recovery

Research shows that consistent high repetition is key to stroke recovery. Therapists often refer to this as massed practice. Therefore, performing high repetition of the skills or movements that need improvement is necessary. That is why therapy and practicing exercises at home in between therapy appointments are both important.

At the heart of remote rehabilitation lies the strategic use of technology to enrich the therapeutic experience. Full-body neuro rehab devices, such as Flint Rehab’s FitMi and MusicGlove, are excellent examples of how digital tools can be used to foster engaging, precise, and measurable recovery journeys. These devices not only tailor rehabilitation to individual needs but also add an element of enjoyment and motivation.

Your therapist can create a plan that targets your specific recovery needs and incorporate exercises that encourage massed practice and help you stay motivated to reach your unique goals. With consistency and dedication, your brain can heal itself after stroke. Moreover, through partnerships like that with Flint Rehab, your therapy team maximizes the benefit of patients’ rehabilitation devices at home.

Does Remote Rehabilitation Work?

Everyone has a unique remote rehabilitation recovery story. While each stroke recovery journey is distinct, learning how others overcame their obstacles can be inspiring and comforting.

One favorite telerehabilitation success story is that of Susan, this is her story!

Susan’s Rehabilitation Journey

After her stroke, Susan returned to her small town, where she faced significant challenges in accessing specialized stroke rehabilitation. The local clinics, primarily focused on sports medicine, lacked the expertise required for stroke recovery. After almost 18 months of outpatient rehab, Susan had made very little progress in restoring function to her affected arm.

Beyond the physical effects, this lack of progress had a profound impact on her mental well-being, leading her to question whether there was any hope for recovery. Susan’s discovery of remote rehabilitation marked a turning point in her recovery. Choosing to engage with a remote rehabilitation service, she embarked on a personalized therapy plan tailored by expert therapists.

This plan was not just about exercises; it was also about integrating therapeutic activities into her everyday life, transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for rehabilitation. The results were nothing short of transformational. Susan gained a multitude of new skills, significantly improved the functionality of her affected arm, and, most importantly, restored her belief in the possibility of recovery.

Remote Rehabilitation and the Path to Recovery

If you choose to explore remote rehab, collaborate closely with your medical team and therapists to develop a personalized telerehabilitation plan that aligns with your goals. With dedication and consistent repetition, you are taking daily steps toward enhancing your independence and achieving your goals.

Additional Resources
Stroke Telerehabilitation: Does it Really Work? 
Why “One More Time” Matters in Stroke Rehab

The post Remote Rehabilitation for Stroke: What Sets it Apart? appeared first on Flint Rehab.

This article describes the benefits of practicing Tai Chi for stroke recovery and provides some Tai Chi exercises you can practice at home.

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is a centuries-old form of gentle exercise that combines physical movements with relaxation. It cultivates a balance between the mind and body, which makes it ideal for stroke recovery.

Tai Chi Stroke Recovery includes a series of slow continuous motions, some of which concentrate on capturing the strength and spirit of various animals (i.e., tiger, ape, stag, bear, crane). These movements promote the flow of energy throughout the body.

By focusing on balance, body alignment, and mindfulness, individuals may achieve a greater sense of control, stability, and relaxation. Additionally, Tai Chi is easily modified so that individuals with weakness after stroke can benefit through participation. For example, movements performed from a seated position allow for greater stability.

In the following section, we’ll discuss the benefits of Tai Chi for stroke survivors.

Benefits of Tai Chi for Stroke Recovery

Practicing Tai Chi after a stroke may provide a wide range of physical and mental benefits. Many individuals experience weakness or paralysis after a stroke, which increases their risk of falling due to poor balance. Tai Chi is ideal for improving balance as it emphasizes slow, controlled, and repetitive movements that originate from the center of the body.

Further, because it encourages continuous movement, Tai Chi promotes dynamic movement more than traditional exercise programs and generally improves dynamic standing balance. The benefits of Tai Chi stroke recovery may come from the unique combination of slow, controlled movements paired with relaxation techniques. 

Benefits of Tai Chi [1]_,[2]_,[3] for stroke survivors include:

• Stress relief
• Improved balance
• Enhanced mental health
• Reduced falls
• Decreased blood pressure
• Improved flexibility
• Increased muscle tone
• Enhanced body awareness
• Chronic pain relief
• Improved bone density/lower body strength
• Better motor control
• Improved gait speed
• Improved concentration
• Healthy postural control

Now that you understand what Tai Chi is and how it can benefit stroke survivors let’s go over some Tai Chi exercises you can practice at home.

Tai Chi Exercises for Stroke Patients

Are you interested in trying Tai Chi for recovery after stroke?

 Below are some of our favorite Tai Chi for stroke recovery exercises:

1. Warm-Up Flow

Start in a standing position with your legs hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Then, float your hands up and down in front of your body with your arms shoulder-width apart, palms down, and hands 3-6 inches apart. As you do this, visualize yourself moving a ball of energy up and down with your hands.

2. Snake in the Grass

Then, visualize yourself carrying that big ball of energy (about the size of a large medicine ball) right in front of your torso. While using your arms to carry that ball of energy, pivot your torso to move the ball around in front of you in the shape of an infinity sign (a sideways figure 8).

As you move the imaginary ball to your right, rotate your torso to the right as well. Then, repeat on the left side. Keep in mind that this exercise strengthens your core and entire body, not just your arms.

Move slowly and intentionally as you swirl this energy around the front side of your body. Every motion is the same speed as if you are in slow motion.

3. Rising Sun

While smoothly transitioning from the exercise above, take that ball of energy and bring it up in front of your face. Move this energy in an arc from side to side, like a rising and setting sun. This posture is used as a transition movement for other exercises.

4. Scooping Water

For this movement, imagine there is a big bucket of water in front of you. With a wide stance, or seated, begin with your right arm out away from your body with palm down. Now, move the hand down and imagine you are scooping up water and raise your hand full of water to the level of your chest. Make a big, slow, circular motion as you scoop the water. Then, look at your palm as you bring it across the front of your face and back over to your right side, bringing it down, letting the water fall to the floor.

This movement should feel like one big circular movement for your right arm. Repeat on your left side, and perform 4 repetitions of this Scooping Water movement on each side. Follow this video for more explanation.

5. Beautiful Bird

Now, imagine that there’s a ball of energy on your right shoulder. Pivot your torso and slightly turn to your right as you use your left arm to roll the ball down your shoulder and arm.

While you’re still facing your right side, shift your weight into your left leg and bring your hands out to your sides. Shifting your weight from one side to the other in a one-third to two-thirds ratio will help you remain grounded.

Shift forward to your right side to complete the movement. Then, transition to your left side while performing a Rising Sun on your way. Remember to move slowly and fluidly.

Remember, it is the fluidity of these movements that matters. You may find participating with a friend or following a video like this one can be helpful.

Be aware of your breath as you perform these movements. Inhale as you shift back and spread your wings, and exhale as you shift forward. During these exercises maintain an ease, fluidity, and softness in your body.

Tai Chi for Stroke Recovery: Key Points

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that utilizes graceful and continuous movements for therapeutic relief. It is a low-impact form of exercise that may improve balance and prevent falls, which makes it ideal for stroke survivors who have weakness or paralysis.

Likewise, Tai Chi also promotes relaxation and improved focus. We hope you try these Tai Chi for stroke recovery exercises to restore a sense of balance between your body and mind.

The post Tai Chi for Stroke Recovery Offers Big Benefits appeared first on Flint Rehab.

The type of stroke, the area of the brain affected, and symptom severity all impact the type of exercise that will be most beneficial for each survivor. For example, some survivors may be able to perform active exercise immediately after stroke, while others may need to focus on passive exercise first. In addition, some stroke survivors may be able to perform aerobic exercises in addition to walking, while gait training may be the primary focus for others.

It is important for every stroke survivor to work closely with their therapy team for the best recommendations. This will help you create a plan that is specific to your recovery journey so you can reach your own unique goals. To help you navigate that conversation, it can be useful to know the benefits and types of exercise available after stroke.

Why Exercise After Stroke Is Important

Exercise after stroke is critical for two main reasons: rehabilitating the physical effects of a stroke and preventing another stroke from happening. For these reasons, it is important to perform exercise that addresses mobility, strength, and overall cardiovascular health.

Often, a stroke leads to physical impairments such as hemiplegia or hemiparesis. This refers to paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, which can affect many aspects of a survivor’s life. These impairments increase the risk of falling after stroke and reduce efficiency with activities of daily living (ADLs). Therefore, therapists should create a customized post-stroke exercise regimen to help improve safety and independence.

Stroke prevention is another reason why exercise after stroke is vital. According to the American Stroke Association, 1 in 4 survivors will experience a second stroke. Stroke is usually not an isolated incident, and risk factors often precede the stroke. These stroke risk factors can include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Fortunately, exercise and other stroke prevention practices can improve all of these conditions.

While exercise is necessary for good health and recovery after stroke, survivors should be mindful of safe techniques to avoid overexercising. Pushing the body too hard can potentially result in regression after stroke or exacerbate conditions like post-stroke fatigue. Stroke patients will see the best results with a balanced regimen created with the help of a therapist.

To get an idea of which exercises your therapy team may recommend, let’s look at the latest guidelines. We will review recommendations on exercise repetition and frequency to help maximize your recovery.

Exercise After Stroke Guidelines

Since stroke causes injury to the brain, survivors can experience physical, cognitive, and even emotional secondary effects. Therefore, the best exercises after stroke depend on your unique symptoms and ability levels, as well as any preexisting medical conditions. Many patients will receive exercise after stroke guidelines and recommendations that prioritize stroke rehabilitation and stroke prevention to help address these concerns.

Here are the current exercise after stroke guidelines.

Repetition is Key for Exercise After Stroke

Some therapists refer to rehabilitation exercises as neuromuscular training, which focuses on training the nerves and muscles to communicate. After a stroke disrupts the pathways between the brain and muscles (resulting in impaired movement patterns), neuromuscular training can help restore movement by activating neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s natural ability to reorganize itself and learn new skills. This is how stroke patients can recover lost abilities like walking, dressing, and moving throughout daily life. By practicing therapy exercises after stroke, survivors can rewire these connections to healthy areas of the brain to promote recovery of lost functions.

When discussing the best exercises after stroke with your therapist, you may hear them refer to something called massed practice. This refers to the large number of repetitions used to stimulate neuroplasticity during therapy exercises after stroke.

The brain requires intense repetition to learn new skills because it likes to be efficient. When something is done frequently, the brain learns that the task is important and responds by making that task easier to accomplish. Many therapists emphasize high repetition to help encourage neuroplasticity during rehabilitation. The more you practice an exercise or a task consistently, the easier that task will become.

Getting Ready for Exercise After Stroke

It is important for stroke patients to work closely with their therapy team to develop an exercise plan that accommodates their specific needs and goals. Exercise after stroke guidelines generally includes a unique combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, range of motion, and balance. Exercise after stroke (along with other healthy habits) can maximize recovery and help prevent another stroke.

For an extra boost of motivation, try incorporating gamified rehab equipment like Flint Rehab’s FitMi home therapy into your rehabilitation program. This device is designed to help with neuromuscular training at home and can motivate survivors to perform high repetition of therapy exercises after stroke.

Flint Rehab also has a free eBook with stroke recovery exercises that you can download below:

The post Exercise After Stroke: Why It Matters & What the Latest Guidelines Recommend appeared first on Flint Rehab.

If important motor areas of the brain such as the motor cortex are involved, this can result in weakness of at least one leg due to hemiparesis or hemiplegia. This resulting weakness can be frustrating for survivors as daily activities can become difficult, leading to decreased function or independence.

However, there is always hope for improvement following stroke. Your doctor and rehab team will help you create a rehabilitation plan to address your needs and promote recovery. In addition to medical management, your rehab plan will likely include a combination of therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.  

To help encourage you and motivate you to pursue recovery, we have created this article to guide you through some leg exercises for stroke patients. These exercises focus on range of motion and light strengthening to help boost recovery.

You’ll find something for all ability levels here. Whether you’re trying to improve your gait (manner of walking) or balance, you can benefit from these rehab exercises. While this article focuses primarily on leg exercises, this can be a great starting point for those searching for post-stroke exercises.

Video: Leg Exercises for Stroke Patients with PT Liliana

In this video, physical therapist Liliana guides you through some great leg exercises to help address range of motion or mobility after stroke. Maintaining good range of motion in your joints can help manage stroke-related pain, improve circulation, and help you avoid complications such as joint contractures after stroke.

10 Physical Therapy Leg Exercises for Stroke Patients

Exercising with high repetition (i.e. massed practice) is the best method for motor recovery after stroke. As you’re designing your home therapy regimen, be sure to focus on high repetition and consistency. These are the keys to stroke recovery.

After you have performed range of motion exercises to promote increased mobility (such as the ones in the video) you can continue with light strengthening exercises. The rest of this article contains more leg exercises for stroke patients from Liliana, DPT, as well as additional exercises from the Flint team.

For these exercises, try performing 2-3 sets of 10 repetitions as a starting point. As you become stronger, you may notice that you can increase the number of sets and repetitions you can perform. As always, consult your own rehab team to determine if these exercises are appropriate for you.

1. Seated Marching

The first leg exercise for stroke patients is seated marching. Start from a seated position and lift your affected leg up into your chest. Then place your leg back down onto the floor. Keep your back straight and maintain controlled movement.

Repeat on the other leg, alternating marching your legs up and down. If needed, use your unaffected arm to help lift the leg and control lowering back to the floor. As you become stronger, try using less help from your arm. When you’re ready, you can also add resistance by lightly pushing down on your quads (thighs) with your arms when your leg is at the top.

2. Knee Extension

This is a more advanced leg exercise for stroke patients and it requires significant mobility in your leg. If you can’t do this movement at first, don’t be discouraged. Even attempting part of the motion can be beneficial and is a great place to start.

Begin the exercise from a seated position. Extend your left leg out, straightening your knee until your leg is parallel to the floor. Then, slowly bring your foot back down to the floor by allowing your knee to bend in a slow, controlled manner.

Then repeat with your right leg, alternating back and forth between your right and left legs. As you become stronger, you can add an ankle weight to increase resistance during this exercise.

3. Hip Internal and External Rotations

For this leg exercise, sit in a chair and lift your affected leg slightly off the floor. Your knee should remain bent at 90 degrees, but your foot should hover over the floor.

With your leg slightly lifted, rotate your knee in and your foot out, like you’re kicking a ball out to the side. Then, bring your knee out and your foot in toward your midline. Repeat back and forth while maintaining the 90-degree bend at your knee.

Progressive Leg Exercises for Stroke Patients

The leg exercises above can help stroke patients of all ability levels work on range of motion and light strengthening. Next, the following exercises will focus on progressive leg strengthening, coordination, and weightbearing.

These exercises can be scaled up or down to meet your needs and help you work toward recovery. For example, you may need the assistance of your arms at first but then be able to progress to active leg movement without assistance. Above all, it is important to make sure you are performing these exercises in a safe location and with assistance if needed.

4. Seated Clamshell

You may have heard of a clamshell exercise before, but this seated version is a great starting leg exercise for stroke patients. Specifically, this exercise helps strengthen the hip muscles.

Start by sitting in the chair with your feet and knees together. Keeping your feet together, press out with both knees like you are opening a clamshell. Then, bring your knees back together as if you are closing the clamshell. If this exercise becomes too easy, you can add resistance to this exercise by placing an exercise band around your knees.

5. Inner Thigh Squeezes

This is a strengthening exercise for the legs, specifically for your adductor muscles (inner thighs). With your feet on the floor, make two fists with your hands and place them side by side between your knees. Then, squeeze your knees and fists together and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds, or as long as you can.

Resistance training such as this can help reverse muscle atrophy after stroke and improve strength during your daily activities. If squeezing your hands is uncomfortable or too challenging, try modifying the exercise slightly. Instead of your hands, you can place a folded pillow, rubber ball, or rolled-up towel between your knees to make this more comfortable.

6. ‘L’ Taps

This leg exercise involves complex coordinated movements. Practicing these types of exercises provides stimulation to help rewire the brain and improve movement after stroke. Start slowly, but feel free to increase your speed as you learn the pattern or need more of a challenge.

Start in a comfortable seated position with your feet below your knees. First, bring your right foot out to your 3 o’clock position and tap your foot.

Then, bring it back to center and move it up to your 12 o’clock position and tap, returning to center after. This will make an “L” shape. Repeat on the other leg, tapping at the 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock positions.

7. Heel Raises

The plantar flexors (calf muscles) make up another muscle group that is important to target with leg exercises after stroke. One way to work these muscles is to perform heel raises, which can be performed in sitting.

Start with your feet on the floor and knees bent at 90 degrees. Slowly lift your heels from the floor, raising up onto your toes, then slowly lower your heels back to the floor. To add resistance, you can apply pressure to your knees with your arms as if you are trying to prevent your heels from raising.

Additionally, this exercise can be performed in standing for an increased strength and balance challenge. Make sure you perform this exercise while holding on to a tall countertop or railing if performing in the standing position. Then lift your heels up to stand on your “tippy toes” and lower slowly back to the floor.

8. Hamstring Curl

The hamstrings are a very important muscle group as they play a valuable role in many activities. This includes gait (walking), transferring between surfaces, and activities like getting in and out of bed. The hamstring curl can be performed in both sitting and standing to help strengthen these muscles.

In sitting, place your feet on the floor. If you are on a tile or wood floor, it can be helpful to wear a sock to allow your foot to slide. If on carpet, try placing your foot on a paper plate or in a plastic bag.

Slide one heel forward to straighten your knee, then pull your foot back to the starting position. Repeat with the other side, focusing on slow, controlled movement. You can add resistance to this exercise by tying a resistance band in a loop around your ankle and a stationary object in your home. This provides resistance as you curl your leg backward using your hamstring muscles.

This exercise can also be performed while standing at a tall countertop or railing. While holding on to the elevated surface with your arms, pick one foot up off the floor and lift it toward your bottom. Then slowly release your leg back to the floor and repeat with the opposite leg.

9. Mini Squat

This is an advanced strengthening exercise performed in the standing position. Stroke patients with limited mobility should exercise caution. To improve your safety, try practicing in front of a table, railing, or countertop that you can hold for support.

Start with your feet hip-distance apart and secure yourself in a strong stance. Then, reach your hips back and bend your knees as if you are beginning to sit down, but stop halfway and return to standing. If it is helpful to visualize the motion or makes you feel more secure, you can perform this with an actual chair behind you.

Throughout the exercise, focus on controlling the motion and think about squeezing your glutes (butt muscles) as you return to standing. You may feel a slight burn in your glutes or quadriceps. This means you’re breaking down your leg muscles before your body builds them back up, stronger than before.

10. Hamstring Stretch

Spasticity can make it difficult to stretch your leg muscles, but don’t neglect stretching exercises. Moving your muscles through their range of motion can help improve spasticity, avoid muscle contractures, and decrease discomfort.

To stretch your hamstrings in sitting, extend one leg out in front of you by straightening your knee and placing your weight on your heel. Then, keeping your chest up tall, reach forward toward your toes while staying seated in your chair.

Make sure to bend at your hips and not at your low back. As long as there is no pain, hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds and then come up slowly before switching sides.

Improving Daily Function Using Stroke Exercises for Legs

As you practice these exercises after stroke, the coordination and mobility in your legs should improve. Additionally, you will likely begin to notice improvement in your overall leg strength. Leg exercises are so important for survivors of stroke to help improve overall function and independence with daily activities.

If you want to improve your gait (walking), be sure to add rehab exercises that target your core, too. Core exercises help improve your balance so that you can get back on your feet with confidence. Also, if foot drop is making walking difficult, there are specific foot drop exercises and other interventions, such as electrical stimulation, to help address this.

When it’s safe to do so, you can continue to improve your gait by practicing walking. In fact, the best way to improve your ability to walk is to practice walking! Your therapy team will be able to provide you with guidance on how to best promote your return to walking after stroke based on your specific needs.

Overall, the most important piece of your rehab program is consistency. Practicing your daily exercises will boost your recovery and promote a faster return to the activities you love. Some rehab tools, like FitMi home therapy, help you exercise your legs more efficiently so that you can see results faster. Many stroke patients have returned to walking and driving after using FitMi.

Whether you are in the early stages of stroke recovery or your stroke was years ago, there is always hope for improvement. We hope these leg exercises for stroke patients can help encourage you along your rehabilitation journey.

A stroke can turn your world upside down, but fortunately it doesn’t mean the end of your story! Regain your strength, mobility, and independence with our FREE eBook “Stroke Physical Therapy Exercises for Home” filled with effective therapy exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home  – Download our FREE eBook Stroke Physical Therapy Exercises for Home!

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