Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mark Romanick

Keywords

Stroke -- therapy; Case Reports

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death and adult disability in the US. Strokes affect each individual differently, some individuals more severely than others. The goal of physical therapists is to come up with the best treatment plan for each individual in order to restore as much function as possible.

Case Description: The patient was a Caucasian female in her 80s who suffered a stroke while in the hospital. She was living in assisted living prior to her hospital stay and was functional in the home only. The passive range of motion in her left extremities was within normal limits, with tone flaccid. We were unable to assess the strength of her left extremities. She required 2-person, maximal assistance for transfers and minimal assistance for static sitting during our early visits.

Intervention: Patient education, therapeutic exercise, bed mobility, balance and transfer training, and wheelchair mobility training were some of this patient's interventions.

Outcomes: The patient had 18 physical therapy sessions. She was able to increase her static standing time from 15 to 20 seconds to 30 to 40 seconds. Her sitting trunk control increased and her bed mobility went from a 2 person maximal assistance to a 1 person maximal assistance by her discharge.

Discussion: Research on acute stroke patients is limited. Most research focuses on subacute and chronic stroke patients. Our patient had minimal improvements after 16 days in the hospital and was discharged to a nursing home with both physical and occupational therapy recommended.

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