The ARNI Approach to stroke recovery encompasses:
Task-related functional movement training
Physical coping strategies
Stroke-specific resistance training
The design of self-recovery programmes with the aim of self-reliance
The programme offers a tailored training regime for each individual, which revolves around functional movement with task-related exercises. ARNI will teach you the importance of encouraging brain plasticity with the practice that you do.
This approach is completely unique; it has been designed specifically for the needs of the stroke survivor with who feels that they cannot find any way to recuperate further using more traditional approaches.
Traditional therapy has for many years now been challenged by evidence revealing that task specific strength training and exercises, aquatic therapy, CIMT, intensive partial weight bearing treadmill, orthoses (particularly active orthoses using FES), and the establishment of some helpful, functional and temporary compensatory modes may be more effective methods to focus on. And that higher repetition rates (where appropriate and possible, where the survivor is active rather than passive during training) has the power to drive neuroplasticity.
As the training is so personalised it offers a unique chance to benefit from ‘retraining’ that is normally inaccessible to the average stroke survivor.
The ARNI Institute exists for YOU. We know that, by accessing our UK Instructors, you should expect over time 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 past-time
7. Increase your self-esteem and be happy with life
Call us on 0203 053 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's an instructor near you who can work with you on your recovery.
#neurorehab #exerciseafterstroke #neuroplasticity #strokeexercise #neurorehabilitation #strokerecoveryexercises #strokesurvivorscan #strokerecovery #strokerehabilitation #strokerehab
www.arni.uk.com
#arnistrokecharity #stroke #strokesurvivors #neuroplasticity #neurorehab
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The optimal timing for rehabilitation and intensity of treatment remains unclear. Research scientists are currently trying to determine the best time after stroke for intensive motor training and others are investigating the effect of early and intensive therapy on upper extremity motor recovery.
The evidence is starting to show that that that physical therapy can have a significant impact on body structure and the function of the upper extremity at all periods post-stroke. So, please try to pay little attention to anyone making the point that your ‘time window’ has either fully closed or is about to fully close from now on and let’s crack straight on with working very hard at your recovery.
Call us on 0203 953 0111 or email support@arni.uk.com to find out if there's a trainer near you.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise
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Spasticity (high tone) A common physical response to brain injury caused by your stroke, spasticity can cause muscles in your arms or legs to tighten uncontrollably, causing pain and discomfort. Spasticity in one or more of your limbs is muscle shortening caused by damage to the portion of your brain or spinal cord that controls voluntary movement. Certain muscles (such as the finger flexors) can become continuously contracted. Spasticity is dependent on the speed with which muscles are moved. So, the faster a sudden, passive stretch is made, the faster your resistance to it will be. Symptoms may include hypertonicity hypertonicity (increased muscle tone), clonus (a series of rapid muscle contractions), exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, muscle spasms, scissoring (involuntary crossing of the legs), and fixed joints. The degree of spasticity varies from mild muscle stiffness to severe, painful, and uncontrollable spasms.
From The Successful Stroke Survivor book by Tom Balchin
#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise #strokerecovery
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Just published in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair is a very interesting RCT investigating whether a virtually-delivered upper limb program, that included a wearable device with reach-to-grasp feedback, would increase upper limb activity after stroke. How do you think it went?!
Methods - this was a parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized control trial conducted at 6 sites across 5 provinces of the CanStroke Recovery Trials Platform between 2020 to 2022.
Participants (n = 73) were community-living, less than 1 year post stroke, and had residual arm movement and upper limb use limitations. Participants were randomized via a central web-based randomization service to receive a virtually delivered program (Virtual Arm Boot Camp [V-ABC], n = 36) or waitlist control (n = 37) receiving usual care.
V-ABC consisted of a home exercise program, feedback from a wrist-worn device to monitor reach-to-grasp counts, and 6 virtual sessions with a trained therapist over 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the average daily reach-to-grasp counts over 3 days at 4 weeks post baseline assessment.
Secondary outcomes included upper limb function, self-reported use, and quality of life. Within-subject changes between pre, post treatment, and 2 months follow up for all participants were also examined as a tertiary analysis.
Results: the V-ABC group demonstrated greater average daily reach-to-grasp counts (primary outcome) at 4 weeks compared to control (mean difference = 368, 95% confidence interval = 6-730, P = .046).
Conclusions: this study provided evidence that a virtually delivered upper limb program that consists of exercise, feedback from a wearable device, and therapist support can increase real-world upper limb activity following stroke.
Btw, qualitative investigation that was embedded within this RCT showed that the participants found the V-ABC protocol to be motivating for practice; they found that the TENZR sensor provided a useful mechanism for goal setting and accountability, and they found the therapists provided helpful support with encouragement and progression of the GRASP exercises.
The V-ABC program encouraged participants to continue exercising and using their upper limb in daily activities beyond program completion. It is possible that some of the between group difference in activity at post-evaluation is due to participants continuing to perform upper limb exercise.
OF INTEREST TOO: Most participants who completed the V-ABC program adhered to the exercise minimum with an overall average of 2.3 hours/day. BUT, another different large home-CIMT trial, which asked participants to complete 2 hours of weekday practice over 4 weeks, only saw participants completing an average of 1.4 hours per day.
Simpson LA, Barclay R, Bayley MT, et al. A Randomized Control Trial of a Virtually Delivered Program for Increasing Upper Limb Activity After Stroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/15459683241303702
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#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise
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Are you being SMART?
No I don’t mean are you clever, its all about goal setting.
It’s fundamental to set yourself objectives and goals, even resolutions, but we tend to generalise our goals. For example, an objective could be to use your affected arm more. But by how much? And by when? A much more achievable goal could be to ‘Use my affected hand to wash and dry dishes once a day by the end of this month’. Then you have just set yourself a much more achievable goal, this is the purpose of a SMART goal.
So how do you set yopurself SMART goals?
S specific
Be specific! There’s no use in setting a generic goal because it won’t suit you personally, however if you adapt the goal to apply to what you need, then it will be much more valuable to you.
M measureable
Is it quantifiable? For instance, going back to the example washing dishes , you can measure this by the amount of dishes you have washed. Being a measurable goal allows you to identify when exactly it has been reached, i.e. what you desire as the end result.
A achievable
The point of a target is to challenge and motivate yourself to complete a piece of work, if you were to set your target too high it can cause stress and so decreasing the chance of your target actually being within reach. Likewise, if a target was too easy will inhibit you from pushing yourself and doing more. Setting yourself a reasonable target is crucial!
R realistic
‘I’m going to make, serve and wash up a three course meal for six people by the end of the month’ Might be a tad too ambitious, don’t get me wrong ambition is a great, but maybe start off with something more realistic, remember all successful people don’t just become successful overnight.
T time bound
Deadlines. Not something we like, but something most of us need. Especially if you’re someone who tends to procrastinate. For example, it’s easy to get lost in the world of the internet looking at cute animal photos or funny videos, but what if you were to say ‘Right, by 2 o’clock I want to have completed…’ then you’ve just motivated yourself to complete a job by an allotted time.
So why should you apply SMART goals to your life?
Not only because it’s such a satisfying feeling to tick something off your To-do list but they can help you become more organised and sort out your priorities. They’re highly motivating and can give a sense of focus and purpose.
P.S. If you've got your goals set and need some help to achieve them have a look at the website to find how ARNI can help you.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise #strokerecovery #ARNIstrokerehab
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TOP TIPS FOR SETTING REALISTIC NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
1. Small goals lead to success - start small and set goals you think you can achieve.
2. Find your meaning - set meaningful goals and you will thrive.
3. One small change at a time - change one thing at a time.
4. Rally your supports - share your goals with your loved ones and let them support you.
5. Own and accept setbacks your - cos there will be.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise #strokerecovery
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Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a stroke rehabilitation technique that involves restricting your unaffected side while forcing the use of your affected side. It can be quite frustrating if the affected side has severely limited mobility and then the you’re asked to complete exercises with that side for multiple hours per day (as typical CIMT protocol requires).
Although it can be frustrating and aggressive, CIMT has an established track record of helping improve movement after stroke.
www.arni.uk.com
#strokerehabilitation #neurorehab #strokerehab #neuroplasticity #arnistroke #neurorehabilitation #strokesurvivorscan #strokeexercise
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First 2025 Instructor Qualification Training course starts on 25th January
Find out more here arni.uk.com/instructors/ Click on Cohort 1 button on this page for full list of training dates for this course
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