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ARNI founder Dr Tom trains in his gym with one of his antique kettlebells.
Many high-powered studies show that strengthening interventions increase strength and improve activity after stroke.
For example, see this now classic systematic review in the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy from 2006 which asked the questions: is strength training after stroke effective (ie, does it increase strength), is it harmful (ie, does it increase spasticity), and is it worthwhile (ie, does it improve activity)?
Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised trials.
Participants: Stroke participants were categorised as (i) acute, very weak, (ii) acute, weak, (iii) chronic, very weak, or (iv) chronic, weak.
Intervention: Strengthening interventions were defined as interventions that involved attempts at repetitive, effortful muscle contractions and included biofeedback, electrical stimulation, muscle re-education, progressive resistance exercise, and mental practice.
Outcome measures: Strength was measured as continuous measures of force or torque or ordinal measures such as manual muscle tests. Spasticity was measured using the modified Ashworth Scale, a custom made scale, or the Pendulum Test. Activity was measured directly, eg, 10-m Walk Test, or the Box and Block Test, or with scales that measured dependence such as the Barthel Index.
Results: 21 trials were identified and 15 had data that could be included in a meta-analysis. Effect sizes were calculated as standardised mean differences since various muscles were studied and different outcome measures were used. Across all stroke participants, strengthening interventions had a positive effect on both strength and activity. There was very little effect on spasticity.
Conclusions: Strengthening interventions increase strength, improve activity, and do not increase spasticity. These findings suggest that strengthening programs should be part of rehabilitation after stroke.
Tom's Conclusion: Yep. The evidence has been there for yonks now. Retrain - as safely, appropriately and as progressively as you can. An ARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery instructor can help you here! All ARNI Stroke Rehab & RecoveryARNI Stroke Rehab & Recovery instructors train too and keep well up to date with the 'training' world, as well as up to date with neurorehab via regular CPD.
www.arni.uk.com
#neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #ARNIstrokerehab #arnistroke #neurorehab #strokeexercise #arnistrokecharity ##neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #ARNIstrokerehab #arnistroke #neurorehab #strokeexercise #arnistrokecharity ##ARNIstrokerehabarnistrokerehab
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Core exercises for stroke survivors help improve stability throughout the body, which helps improve balance and gait (your manner of walking). Building core strength and coordination through trunk control exercises can also help reduce your risk of falling and prevent further injury or complications.
www.arni.uk.com
#neurorehabilitation #strokeexercise #strokerehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerecoveryexercises #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehab
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Whenever you’re sitting at a table, it’s a great time to do some hand exercises. You can use various household items like coins, paper clips, silverware or pens to practice a variety of fine motor skills. For example, you can practice gripping a pen, sliding it across the table, and releasing it. Additionally, you can work on using your thumb and fingers to spin the pen in a circle on the table in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Practicing tracing and writing can also be effective for improving fine motor coordination skills.
The key is to consistently perform high repetitions of targeted exercises. High repetition is key to recovery because it helps activate neuroplasticity, the mechanism the brain uses to rewire itself and recover.
If you struggle with severe spasticity, which often results in clenched hands after stroke, you can start with passive exercises and stretching. Passive exercise involves assisting your affected hand though a movement, either with the help of a therapist or by using your non-affected hand.
Not sure what you need to do and need some help? Ccall us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com and we'll see if there's an instructor near you ,
www.arni.uk.com
#neurorehabilitation #strokeexercise #strokerehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerecoveryexercises #arnistrokerehab
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In this article it says allocating at least 30 minutes per day or 40 minutes per day to walking is associated with improvements in functional mobility or gait speed, respectively, after stroke.
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#walkingafterstroke #strokerehabilitation #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab #neurorehab #strokerecovery
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Sitting less, moving more helps stroke patients recover mobility, research shows
University of Alberta research is creating new recovery advice for stroke patients based on a precision health approach.
The ARNI Instructor exists for YOU. By accessing ARNI you should expect to:
1 Correct your balance and posture
2 Improve your co-ordination and timing
3 Increase your flexibility and stamina
4 Increase your muscular, tendon and ligament strength
5 Increase your confidence and remove your
fear of the consequences of exercising
6 Increase your ability to perform everyday
tasks and progressively more self-sufficient
7 Become productive in an occupation or pastime
8 Increase your self-esteem and be happy with life
Call us on 0203 053 0111 to find out if there's a trainer who can help you achieve your goals; or email support@arni.uk.com
#neurorehabilitation #strokeexercise #strokerehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerecoveryexercises #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehab
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Your thought for today. It's true!
www.arni.uk.com
#neurorehabilitation #strokeexercise #strokerehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #neurorehab #neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #strokerecoveryexercises #ARNIstrokerehab #strokerehab
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To boil recovery of stroke down (black and white style), Dr Tom wrote a couple of days ago that: you may well need to countenance attempting these 10 things below, over time. It’s a great ‘starter for 10’ way to look at the totality of recovery:
1. Understand how to produce, start, a very manageable, customised self-rehab programme (with the assistance of a physio or specialist neuro-rehab ARNI instructor).
2. Understand what, when and why you’re doing what you’re doing, instead of doing things ‘piece-meal’. You need your progress trajectory to be upwards.
3. Understand what factors you can play with, try out, evaluate and combine interventions (how to manipulate the concepts, principles and available adjuncts/interventions).
4. How to record & evaluate: the no. 2 of 2 of re-training. No. 1 is starting it and doing it.
5. Understand that specific goals will only come once you can see your way (ie, get some successes under your belt, which is why learning how to get down and up from the floor with no help or support is incredibly important). Many people, having been told they need to goal-set, don’t then build in the try/fail factor – and get annoyed/stop trying to self-rehab and/or engage with a physio or trainer on a weekly basis. Which isn’t good.
6. Understand how to, and initiate, weight-bearing, balance, co-ordination, postural and gait control over time.
7. Understand how to, and initiate, the decrease of upper limb spasticity/flaccidity if you have it & increase functional movement return over time.
8. Understand how to, and initiate, the increase of muscular, tendon, ligament and bone strength over time.
9. Understand how to, and initiate the increase of confidence and removal of the the fear of the consequences of exercising.
10. Understand how to become progressively more self-sufficient, make tremendous efforts to get that way, giving hope to those who love and care for you & then become productive in an occupation and/or hobby be happy with life and give back to others.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehabilitation #strokeexercise #neurorehabilitation #neuroplasticity #neurorehab #strokerecoveryexercises #exercisestroke #strokerehab #strokerecovery #tombalchin
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Quote from a satisfied survivor customer: - Tom gave me such motivation and confidence to recover from a stroke through his book The Successful Stroke Survivor. Thank you Tom!
#strokerehabilitation #arnistroke #strokerehab #strokeexercise #neuroplasticity #strokerecovery #ARNIstrokerehab
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Successful Stroke Survivor Manual | ARNI
THE BOOK/MANUAL BY DR TOM BALCHIN (FOUNDER OF ARNI) This book/manual was written by a stroke survivor for stroke survivors. Part-book and part-manual for those who have suffered a stroke and reached...
Have YOU got aphasia?
Approximately 40% of stroke survivors experience this difficulty: to comprehend or produce spoken or written language caused by a cerebrovascular accident. In half of these cases the language impairment still persists one year post-stroke. Aphasia has wide-ranging effects on the ability to function and quality of life of stroke survivors and easily leads to social isolation.
If you need help, ARNI SLT Telerehab can now help YOU, right now, wherever you are in the world!
The latest evidence shows clearly that you can conquer aphasia very successfully with the help of speech and language therapy.
And it also shows that SLT Telerehab is just as effective as in-person, face to face treatment.
We have a team of highly experienced low-cost specialist SLTs (all post-grads from Universities such as UCL, the University of Cape Town etc) who are available to help you right now, in your home, via Zoom. You get a one to one hourly service, based around your diary needs, from the comfort of your own home, with a highly experienced specialist speech and language therapist. Please enquire to arni.uk.com/get-remote-speech-language-help-now/ !
#aphasia #strokesurvivors #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #strokerehab #aphasiaawareness #neurorehabilitation #arni #exerciseafterstroke #strokeexercise #strokerecoveryexercises #neuroplasticity #ARNIstrokerehab
www.arni.uk.com
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GET SPECIALIST SPEECH, LANGUAGE & COGNITIVE THERAPY WHEREVER YOU LIVE | ARNI
Mum had severe aphasia after suffering a dense stroke which has also left her unable to walk, with her right side paralysed. We were terribly disappointed by the lack of therapy she received to date...
Stroke Recovery: The Evidence and the Big 10 - It’s a great ‘starter for 10’ way to look at the totality of recovery.
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The ARNI Institute is a UK Registered Charity: No. 1116130.
Currently in our 20th year of voluntary work, we are committed to teaching stroke and other acquired injury survivors to gain better action control. Our Approach to stroke rehabilitation is dynamic, innovative and linked directly to the very latest neurorehabilitation evidence base.
We have over 100 highly qualified independent therapists and trainers around the UK, trained via our Functional Rehabilitation & Exercise Training after Stroke Qualification. Call now to find your therapist or trainer.
ARNI supports the work of the hospital therapists by supporting YOU when your care pathway ends.
NEW! GET YOUR COPY OF NEW BOOK BY TOM BALCHIN LEARN HOW TO RECOVER OPTIMALLY
CLICK HERE
Whether you had your stroke a week or 20 years ago, this seriously practical book reveals everything you need to know about for real-life, evidence-based long-term recovery from limitations caused by stroke, that you can actually understand, use and apply successfully for yourself. With 244 pages of new information and material, it’s stacked with revelations for you based on the neuro-rehabilitation evidence-base.
NEW! LISTEN TO THIS TESTIMONIAL FROM A STROKE SURVIVOR TRAINING WITH ARNI
CLICK HERE
Click the middle of this short video to listen to the experiences of a stroke survivor currently rehabilitating with the help of an a Senior ARNI Instructor. You can learn for yourself about what she has been doing in this DVD series.
The ARNI Blog
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THE EVIDENCE AND ‘THE BIG 10’ OF STROKE RECOVERY
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG July 17, 2024Even if you have hired the help of a trainer or a therapist to get you started (advised), you must have...
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TASK PRACTICE OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES AFTER STROKE?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG March 5, 2024So, what’s the point of task-specific practice and why should you do it? Can assistive devices help much? Are they ‘better’...
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ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG January 12, 2024Your exclusive free invitation to 3 hr online Workshop on Saturday January 20th, 2024 (10.30am to 1.30pm). Listen to (and talk...
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ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG January 2, 2024Your exclusive free invitation for 3 hours Conference on January 20th 2024: For professionals who help those with brain injury –...
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CAN YOU IMPROVE UPPER LIMB CONTROL AFTER STROKE WITH VR?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG November 22, 2023Virtual reality (VR) basically means interactive simulations of activities within environments that appear and feel similar to real-world objects and events...
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CAN THE FLU JAB REDUCE YOUR RISK OF STROKE?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG October 17, 2023Did you know that your flu jab may also be viewed as a preventive intervention for stroke? It’s recommended to book...
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CAN ‘BRAIN-WAVES’ ENHANCE RECOVERY FROM STROKE?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG September 14, 2023Can your ‘brain waves’ be used to identify the movements of your limbs? Can you use them to interact with virtual...
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HOW TO GET ROUND FOOT-DROP AFTER STROKE
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG August 7, 2023Drop (or dropped) foot is common after stroke. Every stroke is different, and so are its side effects. Some stroke survivors...
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STROKE SURVIVORS JUDGING GROUND-BREAKING REHAB KIT AT UCL: JOIN IN
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG June 5, 2023Are you a stroke survivor with balance difficulties? If so, you’re NOT alone! The evidence shows that training balance and gait...
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HAVE YOU GOT LOW MOOD AFTER STROKE?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG May 23, 2023After stroke, physiological changes in the brain can lead to new and exaggerated expressions of behaviour. These have been found most...
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DO YOU HAVE BALANCE & WALKING DIFFICULTIES AFTER STROKE?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG May 3, 2023Balance and gait are essential components of functional movement, yet balance and mobility problems are among the most frequent and disabling...
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HOW CAN YOU REHAB FROM STROKE AT HOME?
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG March 24, 2023So many stroke survivors, at varying points during their respective times from stroke, have no idea how to start (or re-start)...
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HOW TO GET SPECIALIST SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY WHEREVER YOU LIVE!
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG February 22, 2023Have YOU got aphasia? If so, ARNI Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) can now help YOU, right now, wherever you are...
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OVER 65? YOUR THOUGHTS NEEDED ABOUT EXERCISE AFTER STROKE
ARNI STROKE REHAB BLOG February 6, 2023Are you a stroke survivor aged 65 years old or older, who has had a stroke at least 6 months ago?...
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THE EVIDENCE AND ‘THE BIG 10’ OF STROKE RECOVERY
July 17, 2024
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MANAGING VASCULAR DEMENTIA AFTER STROKE
May 21, 2024
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TASK PRACTICE OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES AFTER STROKE?
March 5, 2024
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YOUR INVITE: FREE 3HR ONLINE STROKE PLASTICITY & TECH WORKSHOP
January 12, 2024
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