Abstract
A 67-year-old male patient who was 7 days post right cerebrovascular accident (CVA) of the pons and cerebellar hemisphere was seen for inpatient physical therapy for 22 sessions over a 16-day period. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a clinical instructor at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the 10 Meter Walk Test, Manual Muscle Testing, 2 Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, and the Dynamic Gait Index. A plan of care was established to address left-sided weakness, impaired balance and coordination, and gait mechanics. The main goals for the patient were to improve lower extremity strength, gait speed and endurance, dynamic standing balance, and functional independence in ambulation. Main interventions incorporated the principles of neuroplasticity and focused on overground gait training, functional strengthening and balance activities. The patient tolerated treatment well and showed improvement in gait sequencing and speed, static and dynamic balance, and independence in gait. He was discharged to live at his apartment and was scheduled for 6 sessions of home health physical therapy via a contract agency.