Blog
BLOG
How “Good” Stroke Survivors Help All Stroke Survivors
When physical and occupational therapists read stroke-specific clinical research, they are often skeptical. One of the main reasons for therapists being dubious of research is that research often reveals something contrary to his or her clinical observations. Therapists are not scientists. They do not collect data, randomize sample populations, create control groups, or any of the many other things scientists do. The truth is, without the scientific method, humans make terrible scientists. We are naturally biased and have faults in reasoning. Once something is believed, it is difficult to “unbelieve” it, even when our belief is contradicted through science. The bottom line is that...
Helping Stroke Survivors with Evidence-Based Practice
Everyone talks a big game with evidence-based practice (EBP) in stroke. You can’t go to any occupational or physical therapy seminars without the term being thrown around like confetti. Beyond the platitudes, what is EBP? How can EBP be clinically implemented to help stroke survivors? Finally, what are the best resources to access EBP for stroke? What Is Evidence-Based Practice? Evidence-based practice was initially defined by David Sackett, a Canadian MD. (note: David Sackett passed this last May. RIP.) He put it pretty simply: EBP is the “…conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.” Of...
Stroke Rehabilitation: Throw Out Those Cones
MedBridge provides clinicians and healthcare organizations a comprehensive education platform that includes clinical education, patient education, and home exercise programs to advance their knowledge, engage patients in their recovery, and improve outcomes. Do you feel like you’re in a rut? Always doing the same thing? Feeling uninspired? News flash: If you’re bored, your patients are too. It’s time for a change! Some of the most exciting research today is in neuroplasticity and the impact we have as therapists. We’ve all heard about neuroplasticity and the potential for change in stroke survivors and traumatic brain-injured (TBI) patients, but why is it so important? Only...
The Sixth Vital Sign
MedBridge provides clinicians and healthcare organizations a comprehensive education platform that includes clinical education, patient education, and home exercise programs to advance their knowledge, engage patients in their recovery, and improve outcomes. By now, many of you have heard the term the “sixth vital sign” when referring to walking speed. We are all accustomed to taking vital signs to assess the status of our patients, but Fritz and Lusardi remind us about another simple test that gives great insight into the functional status of our patients. These authors suggest that walking speed is “almost the perfect measure.” Benefits of gait speed assessment Why would...
