Abstract
A patient with left thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage was seen for physical therapy treatment over 4 sessions during a 4-day period at an acute care hospital. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients, and the motor component of the Functional Independence Measure. A plan of care was established to address severe weakness in the right hemibody, moderate limitations in static and dynamic postural control, moderate limitations in basic activities such as bed mobility and sit to stand transitions, and severe restrictions in participation of activities outside of his hospital room. Due to cognitive and communication deficits, the patient was not able to communicate goals. Therefore, main goals for the patient were established through communication of family members via the case manager. Main goals were to improve right upper and lower extremity strength, increase independence in bed mobility and transfers, restore participation in activities outside of his hospital room, and discharge from acute care. Main interventions used were task-specific training and therapeutic exercise, in accordance with principles of experience-dependent neuroplasticity. The patient achieved improvement in static and dynamic postural control, independence level for basic mobility tasks, and participation in mobility outside of his hospital room. The patient was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to continue physical therapy treatment.