ATSU and SWAN Rehab researchers study new stroke survivor therapies

MESA, Ariz. – Researchers at A.T. Still University (ATSU) in Mesa, Ariz., and SouthWest Advanced Neurological Rehabilitation (SWAN Rehab) in Phoenix are challenging old assumptions about stroke rehabilitation with a new, intensive therapy program for chronic stroke survivors. ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences faculty Pamela Bosch, PT, Ph.D., and James Lynskey, PT, Ph.D., together with Kay Wing, PT, D.P.T., NCS, GCS, at SWAN Rehab have teamed up with colleagues to test the new program, which consists of a four-week, intensive, whole body therapy.

Millions of stroke survivors are left with social, motor, and/or mobility deficits, resulting in a reduced ability to perform typical activities of daily living and, ultimately, a diminished quality of life. The intensive approach being tested is based on current principles of neuroplasticity and a vast body of research showing that the brain can be trained to re-organize after injury and re-learn to do things previously done by the damaged area of the brain even years after stroke.

According to Dr. Bosch, a gap exists between this research and the current status of neurorehabilitation in clinical practice. “In spite of the compelling research showing functional recovery after stroke, both acute and chronic, conventional rehabilitation programs have often continued using a traditional model of service delivery,” she said.

Traditional stroke therapy includes in-patient rehabilitation for a few weeks to a month, transitioning to an out-patient program for a few additional weeks. This includes a few hours of therapy per week, limited to a few months after a stroke. In contrast, the new, more intensive treatment being tested involves daily therapy sessions of three hours per day, four days per week for four weeks.

The therapy sessions take place at SWAN Rehab, located in Central Phoenix. SWAN and ATSU have been conducting this study for a year and are currently enrolling participants. The study also includes an education-only group for comparison. The education-only group will not receive the intensive therapy but will be instructed on an individualized exercise program based on the patient’s goals and education on the benefits of remaining active after a stroke.

For more information about the intensive stroke pilot program, call SWAN Rehab at 602.393.0520, or ATSU at 480.219.6063.