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Dr. Maheshwari Harishchandre
M.P.Th (Neurosciences)
Asst. Professor
DVVPF College of Physiotherapy,
Ahmednagar
Brunnstrom Approach
Contents
 History
 Aim
 Basic Limb synergies
 Attitudinal & postural Reflex
 Associated reactions
 Recovery stages
 Principles of treatment
 Treatment
4/11/20182 Brunnstrom approach
Objectives
 Able to describe the stages of
Brunnstrom.
 Able to describe the synergy pattern.
4/11/20183 Brunnstrom approach
History…
 Developed by Signe Brunnstrom, a
physical therapist from Sweden
 Theoretical foundations:
 Sherrington
 Magnus
 Jackson
 Twitchell
4/11/20184 Brunnstrom approach
 Hierachical theory- says that higher
centers control on lower center; but when
higher center damage then this inhibitory
control from the higher center is loss which
leads to exageration of the movt.
 In normal individual, these occur a
smooth, rhythmic movt. Because there is a
presence of control from higher center on
lower center.
4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach5
Brunnstrom Approach
 Emphasize on the development of synergy
in spastic group of muscle. This synergy
helps in developing a voluntary movt.
 Asso. Reaction – movt of sound extremity
causes movt of affected extremity. E.g-
Flexion of normal upper extremity causes
movt of flexion of affected limb.
4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach6
Basic limb synergies
 Mass movement patterns in response to
stimulus or voluntary effort or both
 Gross flexor movement (flexor synergy)
 Gross extensor movement (extensor
synergy)
 Combination of the strongest components
of the synergies (mixed synergy)
 Appear during the early spastic period of
recovery 4/11/20187 Brunnstrom approach
 Aim – development of synergy pattern in
spastic muscle & once it devloped then break
the synergy.
 Synergy pattern for upper limb – UL flexion –
scapula retraction , shoulder abduction+
external rotation, elbow flexion, forearm
supination, wrist & finger flexion.
UL extention - Scapula protraction, shoulder
adduction+ int. rotation, elbow extension,
forearm pronation, wrist & finger flexion.
4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach8
Basic limb synergies: UE
• Scapula: retraction
and/or elevation
• Shoulder: abduction and
ext rotation
• Elbow: flexion
• Forearm: supination
Flexor
Synergy
• Scapula: protraction and
/or depression
• Shoulder: adduction and
int rotation
• Elbow: extension
• Forearm: pronation
Extensor
Synergy
4/11/20189 Brunnstrom approach
Basic limb synergies: LE
• Hip: flexion,
abduction, and
ext rotation
• Knee: flexion
• Ankle: dorsiflexion
• Toe: extension
Flexor
Synergy
• Hip: extension,
adduction, and
int rotation
• Knee: extension
• Ankle: plantarflexion
• Toe: flexion
Extensor
Synergy
4/11/201810 Brunnstrom approach
ExtensorFlexor
Mixed synergy: UE
Strongest elbow flexion shoulder adduction
internal
rotation
Next
strongest forearm pronation
Weakest shoulder abduction elbow flexion
external rotation
4/11/201811 Brunnstrom approach
The Typical Hemiplegic Posture
HEAD Lateral y flexed toward the affected side
UPPER LIMB Scapula – depressed, retracted
Shoulder – adducted, IR
Elbow – flexed
Forearm – pronated
Wrist – flexed, ulnarly deviated
Fingers - flexed
TRUNK Lateraly flexed toward the affected side
LOWER LIMB Pelvis – posteriorly elevated, retracted
Hip – IR, adducted, extended
Knee – extended
Ankle – plantarflexed, inverted, supinated
Toes - flexed 4/11/201812 Brunnstrom approach
Attitudinal and postural reflexes
 Tonic Neck Reflexes
 Symmetric TNR
 Asymmetric TNR
stimulus response
Neck flexion Upper extremity flexion
Lower extremity extension
Neck extension Upper extremity extension
Lower extremity flexion
stimulus response
Neck lateral
rotation
Jaw side:
upper extremity extension
lower extremity extension
Skull side:
upper extremity flexion
lower extremity flexion 4/11/201813 Brunnstrom approach
 Tonic Labyrinthine Reflexes
 Tonic Lumbar Reflex
stimulus response
supine Limbs tend to move in extension
prone Limbs tend to move in flexion
stimulus response
Trunk rotation
(R)
Increased flexor tone
(R) UE and (L) LE
Increased extensor tone
(L) UE and (R) LE
Trunk rotation
(L)
Increased flexor tone
(L) UE and (R) LE
Increased extensor tone
(R) UE and (L) LE 4/11/201814 Brunnstrom approach
Associated reactions
 Homolateral Limb Synkinesis
The response of one extremity to
stimulus will elicit the same
response in its ipsilateral extremity
 Raimiste’s Phenomenon
Resisted abduction or adduction of
the sound limb evokes a similar
response in the affected limb
4/11/201815 Brunnstrom approach
Associated reactions
 Yawning
Flexor synergy is elicited during
initiation of yawn
 Coughing and Sneezing
Evoke sudden muscular contractions
of short duration
4/11/201816 Brunnstrom approach
Hand reactions
 Instinctive Grasp Reaction
 Stationary contact with the palm of the hand results to
closure of the hand
 Instinctive Avoiding Reaction
 With the arm elevated in a forward-upward direction,
the fingers and thumb hyperextend; stroking the palm
in a distal direction exaggerates the posture
 Souque’s Finger Phenomenon
 Elevation of the hemiplegic arm beyond the horizontal
results to extension and abduction of the fingers
Recovery stages in hemiplegia
STAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Stage
1
•Period of flaccidity
•Neither reflex nor voluntary movements are present
Stage
2
•Basic limb synergies may appear as associated
reactions
•Spasticity begins mostly evident in strong
components (flexor synergy appear prior to extensor
synergy)
•Minimal voluntary movement responses may be
present
Stage
3
•Patient starts to gain voluntary control over
movement synergies
•Spasticity reaches its peak
•Semi-voluntary stage as individual is able to initiate4/11/201818 Brunnstrom approach
STAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Stage 4 •Some movement combinations outside the path
of basic limb synergy patterns are mastered
•Spasticity begins to decline
Stage
5
•More difficult combinations are mastered
•Spasticity continues to decline
Stage
6
•Individual joint movement becomes possible
•Coordination approaches normaly
•Spasticity disappears: individual is more capable
of full movement patterns
Stage
7
Normal motor functions are restored
4/11/201819 Brunnstrom approach
Treatment Principles
1. Treatment progress developmentally
2. When no motion exists, movement is
facilitated using reflexes, associated
reactions, proprioceptive facilitation and
or exteroceptive facilitation to develop
muscle tension in preparation for
voluntary movement
4/11/201820 Brunnstrom approach
Treatment Principles
3. Resistance (proprioceptive stimulus)
promotes a spread of impulses to produce
a patterned response while tactile
stimulation facilitates only the muscle
related to the stimulated area
4/11/201821 Brunnstrom approach
Treatment Principles
4. When voluntary effort produces or
contribute to a response, patient is
asked to hold the contraction (isometric).
If successful, an eccentric (contracted
lengthening) is performed and finally a
concentric (shortening) contraction is
done.
4/11/201822 Brunnstrom approach
Treatment Principles
5. Facilitation is reduced or dropped out
as quickly as the patient shows
evidence of volitional control.
6. Correct movement once elicited is
repeated
4/11/201823 Brunnstrom approach
Treatment
1. Bed posture
2. Bed exercises (PROM,AAROM-AROM,
Balance- Sitting)
3. Hand training
4. Trunk rotation
5. Standing & walking
6. Assisted walking
7. Independent walking
8. Obstacle walking
9. Stair climbing 4/11/201824 Brunnstrom approach
THANK YOU…….
4/11/201825 Brunnstrom approach

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Brunnstrom approach

  • 1. Dr. Maheshwari Harishchandre M.P.Th (Neurosciences) Asst. Professor DVVPF College of Physiotherapy, Ahmednagar Brunnstrom Approach
  • 2. Contents  History  Aim  Basic Limb synergies  Attitudinal & postural Reflex  Associated reactions  Recovery stages  Principles of treatment  Treatment 4/11/20182 Brunnstrom approach
  • 3. Objectives  Able to describe the stages of Brunnstrom.  Able to describe the synergy pattern. 4/11/20183 Brunnstrom approach
  • 4. History…  Developed by Signe Brunnstrom, a physical therapist from Sweden  Theoretical foundations:  Sherrington  Magnus  Jackson  Twitchell 4/11/20184 Brunnstrom approach
  • 5.  Hierachical theory- says that higher centers control on lower center; but when higher center damage then this inhibitory control from the higher center is loss which leads to exageration of the movt.  In normal individual, these occur a smooth, rhythmic movt. Because there is a presence of control from higher center on lower center. 4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach5
  • 6. Brunnstrom Approach  Emphasize on the development of synergy in spastic group of muscle. This synergy helps in developing a voluntary movt.  Asso. Reaction – movt of sound extremity causes movt of affected extremity. E.g- Flexion of normal upper extremity causes movt of flexion of affected limb. 4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach6
  • 7. Basic limb synergies  Mass movement patterns in response to stimulus or voluntary effort or both  Gross flexor movement (flexor synergy)  Gross extensor movement (extensor synergy)  Combination of the strongest components of the synergies (mixed synergy)  Appear during the early spastic period of recovery 4/11/20187 Brunnstrom approach
  • 8.  Aim – development of synergy pattern in spastic muscle & once it devloped then break the synergy.  Synergy pattern for upper limb – UL flexion – scapula retraction , shoulder abduction+ external rotation, elbow flexion, forearm supination, wrist & finger flexion. UL extention - Scapula protraction, shoulder adduction+ int. rotation, elbow extension, forearm pronation, wrist & finger flexion. 4/11/2018Brunnstrom approach8
  • 9. Basic limb synergies: UE • Scapula: retraction and/or elevation • Shoulder: abduction and ext rotation • Elbow: flexion • Forearm: supination Flexor Synergy • Scapula: protraction and /or depression • Shoulder: adduction and int rotation • Elbow: extension • Forearm: pronation Extensor Synergy 4/11/20189 Brunnstrom approach
  • 10. Basic limb synergies: LE • Hip: flexion, abduction, and ext rotation • Knee: flexion • Ankle: dorsiflexion • Toe: extension Flexor Synergy • Hip: extension, adduction, and int rotation • Knee: extension • Ankle: plantarflexion • Toe: flexion Extensor Synergy 4/11/201810 Brunnstrom approach
  • 11. ExtensorFlexor Mixed synergy: UE Strongest elbow flexion shoulder adduction internal rotation Next strongest forearm pronation Weakest shoulder abduction elbow flexion external rotation 4/11/201811 Brunnstrom approach
  • 12. The Typical Hemiplegic Posture HEAD Lateral y flexed toward the affected side UPPER LIMB Scapula – depressed, retracted Shoulder – adducted, IR Elbow – flexed Forearm – pronated Wrist – flexed, ulnarly deviated Fingers - flexed TRUNK Lateraly flexed toward the affected side LOWER LIMB Pelvis – posteriorly elevated, retracted Hip – IR, adducted, extended Knee – extended Ankle – plantarflexed, inverted, supinated Toes - flexed 4/11/201812 Brunnstrom approach
  • 13. Attitudinal and postural reflexes  Tonic Neck Reflexes  Symmetric TNR  Asymmetric TNR stimulus response Neck flexion Upper extremity flexion Lower extremity extension Neck extension Upper extremity extension Lower extremity flexion stimulus response Neck lateral rotation Jaw side: upper extremity extension lower extremity extension Skull side: upper extremity flexion lower extremity flexion 4/11/201813 Brunnstrom approach
  • 14.  Tonic Labyrinthine Reflexes  Tonic Lumbar Reflex stimulus response supine Limbs tend to move in extension prone Limbs tend to move in flexion stimulus response Trunk rotation (R) Increased flexor tone (R) UE and (L) LE Increased extensor tone (L) UE and (R) LE Trunk rotation (L) Increased flexor tone (L) UE and (R) LE Increased extensor tone (R) UE and (L) LE 4/11/201814 Brunnstrom approach
  • 15. Associated reactions  Homolateral Limb Synkinesis The response of one extremity to stimulus will elicit the same response in its ipsilateral extremity  Raimiste’s Phenomenon Resisted abduction or adduction of the sound limb evokes a similar response in the affected limb 4/11/201815 Brunnstrom approach
  • 16. Associated reactions  Yawning Flexor synergy is elicited during initiation of yawn  Coughing and Sneezing Evoke sudden muscular contractions of short duration 4/11/201816 Brunnstrom approach
  • 17. Hand reactions  Instinctive Grasp Reaction  Stationary contact with the palm of the hand results to closure of the hand  Instinctive Avoiding Reaction  With the arm elevated in a forward-upward direction, the fingers and thumb hyperextend; stroking the palm in a distal direction exaggerates the posture  Souque’s Finger Phenomenon  Elevation of the hemiplegic arm beyond the horizontal results to extension and abduction of the fingers
  • 18. Recovery stages in hemiplegia STAGE CHARACTERISTICS Stage 1 •Period of flaccidity •Neither reflex nor voluntary movements are present Stage 2 •Basic limb synergies may appear as associated reactions •Spasticity begins mostly evident in strong components (flexor synergy appear prior to extensor synergy) •Minimal voluntary movement responses may be present Stage 3 •Patient starts to gain voluntary control over movement synergies •Spasticity reaches its peak •Semi-voluntary stage as individual is able to initiate4/11/201818 Brunnstrom approach
  • 19. STAGE CHARACTERISTICS Stage 4 •Some movement combinations outside the path of basic limb synergy patterns are mastered •Spasticity begins to decline Stage 5 •More difficult combinations are mastered •Spasticity continues to decline Stage 6 •Individual joint movement becomes possible •Coordination approaches normaly •Spasticity disappears: individual is more capable of full movement patterns Stage 7 Normal motor functions are restored 4/11/201819 Brunnstrom approach
  • 20. Treatment Principles 1. Treatment progress developmentally 2. When no motion exists, movement is facilitated using reflexes, associated reactions, proprioceptive facilitation and or exteroceptive facilitation to develop muscle tension in preparation for voluntary movement 4/11/201820 Brunnstrom approach
  • 21. Treatment Principles 3. Resistance (proprioceptive stimulus) promotes a spread of impulses to produce a patterned response while tactile stimulation facilitates only the muscle related to the stimulated area 4/11/201821 Brunnstrom approach
  • 22. Treatment Principles 4. When voluntary effort produces or contribute to a response, patient is asked to hold the contraction (isometric). If successful, an eccentric (contracted lengthening) is performed and finally a concentric (shortening) contraction is done. 4/11/201822 Brunnstrom approach
  • 23. Treatment Principles 5. Facilitation is reduced or dropped out as quickly as the patient shows evidence of volitional control. 6. Correct movement once elicited is repeated 4/11/201823 Brunnstrom approach
  • 24. Treatment 1. Bed posture 2. Bed exercises (PROM,AAROM-AROM, Balance- Sitting) 3. Hand training 4. Trunk rotation 5. Standing & walking 6. Assisted walking 7. Independent walking 8. Obstacle walking 9. Stair climbing 4/11/201824 Brunnstrom approach