CSRS Neuroplasticity & Motor Recovery 3

Question 1

What is 'diaschisis' in the context of stroke recovery?

Accepted Answer

Temporary functional depression in brain areas remote from but structurally connected to the stroke lesion

Answer

Diaschisis refers to reduced function in brain regions anatomically connected to but distant from the stroke lesion, often reversible as the acute phase resolves and a target for rehabilitation.

Question 2

Which principle of motor rehabilitation states that practicing real-world, goal-directed tasks produces superior neuroplastic changes compared to isolated, non-functional exercises?

Accepted Answer

Task-specific training principle

Answer

The task-specific training principle holds that meaningful, goal-directed practice best activates relevant neural circuits and produces the most durable neuroplastic changes and functional gains.

Question 3

What characterizes Brunnstrom Stage 5 of motor recovery after stroke?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing spasticity with the emergence of isolated joint movements outside obligatory synergy patterns

Answer

Brunnstrom Stage 5 marks a critical transition in which spasticity begins to diminish and patients can perform selective joint movements outside the obligatory synergy patterns seen in earlier stages.

Question 4

How do functional neuroimaging studies commonly demonstrate interhemispheric shifts following stroke?

Accepted Answer

Increased activation of the contralesional (unaffected) hemisphere during movement of the affected limb

Answer

fMRI studies consistently show increased recruitment of the contralesional hemisphere during affected limb tasks, reflecting compensatory neuroplastic reorganization after stroke.

Question 5

What does research suggest about 'massed practice' versus 'distributed practice' in motor recovery after stroke?

Accepted Answer

Both are effective, but distributed practice with rest intervals tends to promote better long-term motor memory retention through neural consolidation

Answer

While massed practice can drive rapid short-term gains, distributed practice with rest intervals generally yields better long-term motor retention by allowing synaptic consolidation processes to occur.

CSRS - Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist Practice Test

CSRS - Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist Practice Test

CSRS Neuroplasticity & Motor Recovery 3