In order to develop a more comprehensive understanding for stroke patient research, I started contacting someone who has lived with a stroke survivor for years and therefore obtains knowledge of what therapies were in this case helpful, and what did not really support the healing process of the patient. In this case, the right side of the brain was affected and the left side of the body was restricted. To be more specific, the left arm and hand was paralysed, which also meant the patient was not able to open up their hand orproperly move their leg.
Therapies, such as ”Logotherapy” were tested on the patient in order to regain and relearn speaking properly, as in this case also the left side of the face had fallen. This type of therapy also reduced the issues which came with swallowing.
In addition, ”Ergotherapy” was tested by this patient, to find a way back into normal life such as dressing and perform regular activities on their own, such as putting on socks.
”Psychotherapy” to deal with depression and the new circumstances was also a big part of the process in the first year.
”Bobath concept therapy” was another healing method adopted by this person, in which new patterns of movement were learnt for better mobility and to build up new neutral pathways. In this case, the same movements were frequently repeated to build up neutral pathways.
Equipment used was a hard rubber ball that had to be squeezed as often as possible. This was helpful for making the hand smooth again.
Again, water played a significant role within the healing process, such as movement like walking or using underwater bicycle. This made the movements more smooth and the person lighter in the water. Additionally, the risk of falling and getting hurt was reduced. Placing the body in water can have the effect of a massage and the pressure the water has on the body pushes the blood back into the heart area, which then leads to a bigger volume of the heart, the heart frequency goes down and the heart works more economically. Lastly, the breathing becomes trained, as the pressure of the water makes breathing in more difficult. In the water, almost all the muscles are getting a training, more than outside the water.
Light therapy, helped this patient to fight depression, (which often comes with a stroke), as a completely new way of living is happening to the patient. This light has 10000 lux and is brighter than a regular light inside the room. You don’t have to directly look inside and can use it while doing other things, such as eating a meal.
Overall, the interviewee mentioned and concluded that therapy inside the water was in her opinion the most helpful, due to the fact the whole body can be moved and more is being trained than in the other therapies that were tried.