Previous Section
Approaches to Stroke Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of Sensory Deficits After Stroke
Sensory deficits may include problems with touch, pain, temperature, vibration, or position sense. Due to sensory deficits, the patient may not recognize objects that they are holding and in severe cases, they may not even recognize their own limb. Incomplete sensory deficits may result in a tendency to recognize all stimuli as pain, resulting in a poststroke central pain syndrome. Treatment for sensory deficits includes:
- Desensitization to painful stimuli
- Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Visual feedback to compensate for deficits
- Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, anti-epileptics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, mexiletine, or narcotics
Recovery of sensory function maximizes in 1-2 months in 50 to 67% of stroke survivors.
