Neuromuscular System Interventions Flashcards

A patient with stroke has difficulty initiating voluntary movement. Which PNF technique is MOST appropriate to address this impairment?

Answer: Rhythmic initiation

Rhythmic initiation progresses from passive to active assistive to active movement, teaching the motor pattern to patients who cannot initiate movement voluntarily.

Which motor learning feedback schedule produces the BEST long-term retention of a motor skill in neurological rehabilitation?

Answer: Faded feedback with reduced frequency over time

Faded feedback (reducing frequency over time) promotes retention because it prevents dependency and forces the patient to self-evaluate, consistent with the guidance hypothesis.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) produces its strongest therapeutic effect in which patient population?

Answer: Upper motor neuron lesion with intact peripheral nerve and some volitional control

NMES requires an intact lower motor neuron (peripheral nerve) and is most effective when combined with voluntary effort, making it ideal for upper motor neuron lesions.

During motor skill acquisition, random practice of multiple tasks is preferred over blocked practice because of which effect?

Answer: Contextual interference from random practice enhances long-term retention and transfer

The contextual interference effect demonstrates that the cognitive effort required during random practice leads to superior retention and transfer compared to blocked practice.

Surface EMG biofeedback is used with a post-stroke patient. What is the PRIMARY therapeutic goal?

Answer: Provide real-time sensory information to facilitate volitional muscle activation

EMG biofeedback gives patients visual or auditory representation of muscle activity, helping them learn to volitionally activate muscles that they may not be able to sense or control.

Which duty cycle parameter in NMES is MOST directly adjusted to manage muscle fatigue during functional electrical stimulation training?

Answer: On-to-off time ratio

The duty cycle (on:off ratio) determines how long the muscle is actively contracting versus resting; longer off times reduce fatigue during repetitive NMES-assisted movement.

A therapist uses PNF rhythmic stabilization at the shoulder for a patient with rotator cuff weakness post-neurological injury. What is the PRIMARY physiological mechanism?

Answer: Facilitating co-contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles via alternating isometric resistance

Rhythmic stabilization uses alternating isometric resistance to both agonist and antagonist, promoting dynamic joint stability through simultaneous co-contraction.