Forced imitative synkinesis as an approach to rehabilitation in central hemiparesis
Baikushev, S.V.
Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova 78(5): 654-658
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-4588 PMID: 665059 Document Number: 129990
With the aid of EMG registrations the author investigated the possibility of using imitational synkinesia (from the normal hand to the affected) in a rehabilitative training of patients with postapopleptic hemiparesis and hemiplegia. A total of 50 individuals were studied (20 normals and 30 patients with hemiparesis). After bioelectrical activity registration in an attempt to make a maximum voluntary flexion or extension of the paretic hand the examinec were to make a combined attempt of voluntary movements at a command and pathological synkinesia of the same type. This synkinesia was forced, i. e. called by a maximum by strength muscular contraction of the normal hand (against resistance). EMG permitted in some cases to overcome the global synkinesia (a posture-statical and nonadaptive by character) by imitational (kinetic). If this effect was not seen the use of this method was considered purposeless. The proposed method is desinhibition of structures with a deficit of excitation, a contralateral alleviation and a new organization of movements, appearing as a result of conditioned combinations.