Practical aspects of balance and vestibular rehabilitation after stroke

Abstract

Balance and vestibular disorders are often detected in patients who have suffered a stroke. Instability may be caused by various reasons. In some cases, impairment of gait is caused by spastic paresis, in others by proprioceptive sensitivity and cerebellar disorders. Management of patients with balance disorders in the post-stroke period is composed of a detailed assessment of functional capabilities, the risk of falls and the cause of instability, as well as the adjustment of physical rehabilitation and drug therapy. The effective methods of physical rehabilitation include general exercises to strengthen stability and physical endurance, and special simulators with biological feedback. The drug therapy includes basic pharmacotherapy for the secondary prevention of stroke and symptomatic agents that can manage various disorders due to pathogenetic mechanisms of cerebral stroke (botulinum therapy, Vasobral).

Keywords

• stroke
• balance disorders
• instability
• falls
• rehabilitation
• vazobral