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A significant challenge in post-stroke care is the availability of sustained, evidence-based rehabilitation following initial clinical pathways. ARNI (Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury) Stroke Rehab Charity UK directly addresses this gap by empowering stroke survivors to regain functional independence and action control, often years after their long-term recovery.
ARNI’s innovative, user-driven approach is grounded in task-specific training, strength training, and personalised coping strategies, all aligned with the latest neurorehabilitation research on brain plasticity. By training a dedicated network of specialist instructors & therapists, ARNI ensures that its methodology, which encourages self-reliance and targeted practice, can be delivered within the community.
The documented successes of the ARNI framework, including pilot study findings and compelling testimonials, demonstrate tangible improvements in mobility, confidence, and overall quality of life for survivors who have often plateaued with conventional therapies. This provides a robust model for advancing long-term rehabilitative care.
Individuals and families seeking to improve long-term recovery outcomes are invited to review the evidence base and testimonials on the ARNI website to understand its efficacy and if you want to work hard to improve your long-term recovery outcome, you’re also invited to explore our functional retraining strategies by getting matched up with an ARNI Associate Instructor ;)
www.arni.uk.com
#StrokeRehabilitation #Neurorehabilitation #ARNI #StrokeRecovery #Neuroplasticity #FunctionalTraining #HealthcareInnovation #EvidenceBasedPractice #LongTermRecovery
Using repetitive, simultaneous movement of both limbs seems to work well for stroke survivors. Just one way that this is done in the ARNI programme is via bilateral movement training: a concept based on the theory of inter-limb coordination. Cumulative evidence from a review of several studies that investigated results from bilateral movement training for the partially paralysed upper body indicates that bilateral movement training is effective in improving motor capabilities and functional outcome in the sub-acute or chronic (6 months or longer from stroke onset) phase of recovery.
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#neuroplasticity #strokerehab #strokerecovery #neurorehabilitation #exerciseafterstroke #strokeexercise #strokerehab #strokerecoveryexercises #rehabilitation #neurorehabilitation
Based on recent research, tendon transfer surgery offers a possibly valuable option for managing severe upper limb and hand spasticity following a stroke, particularly as a complementary intervention when non-surgical treatments are insufficient.
A clinical review from 2024 emphasises that surgical interventions for post-stroke spasticity and contracture are often under-utilised and that tendon transfer can be a powerful intervention for specific, residual impairments like contracture (which we see quite a bit at ARNI) that persist after conservative treatments like OT have failed.
Successes with tendon transfer surgery are dotted throughout the research; for example, a recent case study published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports (May 2025) details a step-by-step approach combining repeated botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections and occupational therapy with tendon transfer surgery. The surgery effectively addressed residual wrist impairments, resulting in significant functional recovery and improved daily living activities for the patient. It significantly enhanced the survivor's grip strength, range of motion, and ability to perform intricate hand and finger movements.
Beyond physical function, surgery has been shown to enhance survivors' psychological well-being, body image, and social interactions. By making daily tasks easier, it can improve their occupational performance and allows them to regain roles previously lost to their condition.
ARNI insists that rehabilitation specialists should be aware of the functional benefits of surgery and consider it as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary treatment plan for patients with long-term, severe spasticity.
www.ar#tendontransfero#strokerehabilitationb#handspasticityS#upperlimb##physicalmedicinea#occupationaltherapyn#neurorehabilitationb#strokerecoveryk#ResearchUpdatea#SurgicalReconstructionnstruction
Have you tried Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)? Let us know if you have please! Where did you do it; at a clinic or at home? What did you think of it? Did you get any results??
Multiple studies affirm that both traditional CIMT and modified CIMT (mCIMT) are effective for improving upper limb function, arm-hand activities, and daily life performance for us stroke survivors. And emerging trends show that CIMT's effectiveness can be enhanced when combined with other therapies:
o Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI): Integrating CIMT with BCI shows promise, particularly in improving real-world functional outcomes.
o Telerehabilitation and VR: CIMT delivered via telerehabilitation and virtual reality (VR) offers similar effectiveness to traditional in-clinic therapy, improving accessibility and motivation for patients.
o Electrical Stimulation: Combined therapies using CIMT and peripheral nerve stimulation show superior improvements in motor function.
So, the field of CIMT is rapidly evolving, but ARNI has found, when examining research and practice, that questions remain about the optimal dosage and timing of CIMT interventions.
www.arni.uk#strokerehabR#neuroplasticityi#cimt##physicaltherapye#occupationaltherapye#neurosciencei#RehabilitationResearchearch
Exercises are the best way to improve your gait after a stroke. An ARNI Trainer can recommend some appropriate exercises for you based on your ability level.
Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's a trainer near you who can work with you on your recovery.
www.arni.uik.#strokerecoveryo#strokerehabr#strokerehabR#strokerecoveryexercisesc#neuroplasticityi#exerciseafterstroket#strokeexerciser#strokerehabrehab
Join the conversation: What are your experiences or insights on implementing personalised FES for your more-affected lower-limb to date? Please let us know!
The use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for lower-limb rehabilitation post-stroke continues to evolve, with recent studies highlighting the benefits of multi-channel and personalised approaches. These advancements are moving beyond traditional ‘one-sise-fits-all’ devices to target specific neuromuscular deficits, leading to more natural and effective gait recovery.
A 2025 study on chronic stroke survivors showed that a multi-channel FES system, designed around muscle synergy principles, led to significant and sustained improvements in motor function. Patients exhibited more natural gait patterns and increased ankle dorsiflexion, even years after their stroke.
Also, we found research published in 2023 which demonstrated that combining FES with core muscle training significantly improved balance, walking ability, and overall lower-limb motor function compared to core training alone. This suggests that FES can enhance the benefits of traditional physical therapy.
Innovations in adaptive, closed-loop FES systems are being developed to enhance gait efficiency and speed. By providing more personalised and context-aware stimulation, these systems could offer superior therapeutic and orthotic benefits.
A 2024 meta-analysis also found that electrotherapy, including FES, significantly increased lower-limb muscle strength compared to conventional therapy in stroke patients. This tends to reinforce the modality's role in improving physical performance.
#FES #StrokeRehab #NeuroRehabilitation #PhysicalTherapy #Neurology #Research #GaitRecovery #FunctionalElectricalStimulation
Hi Roz! Yes, FES has really worked for him, hasn't it? Very good thing too is that he's smart with it and hasn't become reliant on it for his gait control - and yes absolutely I've seen that it's strengthened his ankle (and calf).. and for a stroke survivor with drop foot, wearing Crocs is quite something - I've never tried it; presumed the left one would just slip off my foot or I'd be tripping up constantly 😉 But then, Harry IS rather a special survivor, isn't he Roz 😉 (the lesser-spotted Harry variety) Tom
I was dorsiflexing well using my old oddstock pace fes But got impatient with the pad positions kept changing and it took me too long to set up I'm back in a custom made AFO now and regretting my impatient attitude A great product I'd say
Harry uses lower limb FES device alongside lots of other strengthening, balance etc.. he doesn’t use the FES inside home at all or on shorter outside trips .. We all think it’s improved his strength and stamina both with and without the device .. only this week he’s in Tenerife and managed a whole day at a water park with no aids at all .. just wearing crocs.. fast passes for slides .. and access to the VIP sun longer section for breaks 😂😂😂
I started using FES on the NHS my neurophysio recommended it. It was a total game changer. FES got me running again. I’ve done 3 Half Marathons and countless 10ks. I couldn’t have done it without FES. Yes it’s fiddly & frustrating but in my humble opinion worth the effort & I only had one working arm at the time. It also works on upper limbs but it got too confusing for my addled stroke brain to cope with. Try it & see for yourselves! You’ve got nothing to loose
I’ve used an NHS prescribed Oddstock for a few years, thinking about exploring other options privately. Although i’
Post-stroke rehabilitation is a critical, multi-stage process, yet many survivors report feeling unsupported after formal, short-term hospital therapy ends. This can lead to decreased motivation, learned non-use of affected limbs, and a heightened fear of falling, which can all negatively impact long-term recovery.
The Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) Institute was founded to address this significant gap in the patient pathway. ARNI offers an exciting, innovative, evidence-based program that supports stroke survivors in taking charge of their long-term recovery. The ARNI Approach is distinguished by its focus on three core principles:
Functional Task-Related Practice: Moving beyond passive treatment, ARNI engages survivors in repetitive, meaningful activities designed to retrain the brain and body. This leverages the brain's neuroplasticity... its ability to reorganise itself...to recover lost skills.
Physical Coping Strategies: ARNI instructors teach specific, practical techniques for managing daily life challenges, such as getting up from the floor safely with one-sided weakness. This builds physical resilience and confidence.
Stroke-Specific Resistance Training: Incorporating strength and conditioning exercises adapted for neurological limitations helps build stability and strength, empowering survivors to discard assistive devices and enhance their functional independence.
Implications for Clinical Practice & Research: The ARNI model challenges the traditional paradigm that recovery plateaus shortly after hospital discharge. Its success highlights the value of personalised, intensive, and long-term neurorehabilitation strategies. For clinicians and researchers, ARNI's integration of psychological support, functional training, and strength conditioning offers a powerful framework for enhancing patient outcomes and promoting self-reliance.
Learn more and explore the latest research at the ARNI Institute: www.arni.uk.com
#StrokeRehab #Neuroplasticity #Neurorehabilitation #StrokeRecovery #ARNI #EvidenceBased #FunctionalTraining #HealthcareInnovation
A wave of systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials over the last few years has refined our understanding, confirming task-specific training (TST)'s efficacy while also shedding light on critical factors like intensity and technological integration.
Task-specific training involves repetitive, goal-directed practice of real-world functional tasks, such as grasping a cup or buttoning a shirt, rather than isolated, non-functional exercises. By promoting active problem-solving and engaging neural pathways in a meaningful context, TST harnesses the brain's plasticity to maximise motor recovery.
A recent systematic review in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy synthesised findings from 16 studies involving nearly 700 stroke survivors. The review found strong evidence supporting activity-based TST for improving UL motor function, motor performance, and activities of daily living (ADLs). and a May 2025 study in Clinical Rehabilitation found task-oriented training produced statistically and clinically meaningful improvements in UL function for patients with subacute stroke compared to conventional exercise programmes.
The latest research is also exploring ways to amplify the effects of TST by combining it with cutting-edge techniques; a 2023 network meta-analysis found that combining TST with electrical stimulation is a promising approach for improving UL motor function, especially for individuals within six months of stroke onset.
Interestingly, a group of newer studies are examining dual-task training (DTT), where individuals practice a task while performing a secondary activity. Preliminary results from a May 2025 study suggest DTT can effectively improve UL function and trunk performance in chronic stroke patients.
ARNI says that the evidence for task-specific training in stroke rehabilitation is undeniable. Recent research provides new avenues for enhancing its effects through technology and combination therapies. The message is clear for us stroke survivors: focusing on repetitive, meaningful, real-world tasks is a highly effective strategy for regaining a handle on life after stroke.
Recent research provides a clearer picture of the efficacy of active and dynamic orthotics for stroke survivors. A scoping review published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found moderate evidence that dynamic upper extremity orthoses can significantly improve fundamental performance skills like gripping and pinching.
Another recent study in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology showed that a wearable hand orthosis combined with self-directed training enhanced upper limb motor function and balance. Key findings from these and other recent studies include:
1. Dynamic orthoses like the Saeboflex, pictured, can be effective in improving isolated motor skills (up to a point). However, the evidence is not yet conclusive that these improvements translate directly into better performance of everyday activities, such as dressing or grooming.
2. A dynamic orthosis is most effective when integrated into a structured, task-oriented rehabilitation programme. Studies show that a higher 'dose' of active training leads to greater functional gains.
3. 3D-printed, personalised orthoses can increase patient satisfaction and comfort, potentially leading to higher compliance with home-based rehabilitation programmes.
ARNI says that active orthotics are a promising tool to augment upper-limb stroke rehab, but their greatest potential is realised when they support active, task-specific training to improve motor skills.
www.ar#strokerehabt#neurorehabilitationb#strokerecoveryk#rehabilitationb#neuroscienceu#strokerehabt#activeorthoticse#occupationaltherapyn#neurology##RehabilitationResearcho#medtechh #MedTech
Exercises are the best way to improve your gait after a stroke. Your ARNI Trainer can recommend some appropriate exercises for you based on your ability level.
Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's a trainer near you who can work with you on your recove#neurorehabilitationa#strokeexerciser#strokerehabr#strokerecoveryo#strokerehabR#neuroplasticityicity