Research

SENSORY-MOTOR AND COGNITIVE IMPROVEMENT BY REINTRODUCING POSTURAL AND BALANCE CONTROL FROM PARETIC BODY SEGMENTS IN STROKE AND TBI PATIENTS

VASA CONCEPT

Our pilot study is based on Vasa Concept, developed by Rajul Vasa. Vasa Concept is a holistic approach to rehabilitate spasticity, motor deficiency, abnormal synergic grouping, subluxation of shoulder and neuropsychological symptoms. It is to advance the information between the body and the brain. In comparison with other methods (Beyaert et al., 2015), VC is based on the combination of physiological knowledge of the body functions to neuroscientific findings related to neuroplasticity and brain-derived behaviour. By reintroducing automatic control on local and global center of mass safety to paretic segments, the brain will use the reciprocal information and start to re-organize. Physical and cognitive recovery emerges as by-product.

Keywords: center of mass COM, proprioception, vestibular system, coordination of locomotion, interlimb coordination and information, automatic postural adjustment (APA)

PILOT STUDY

Case study of five chronic stroke and TBI patients, whose rehabilitation is based on Vasa Concept approach. This is a pilot study, which enables Us to plan and organize a study for a larger patient sample. Test protocol and suitable methods are also evaluated within this project. 

RESULTS

Based on this pilot study, Vasa Concept rehabilitation is worthwhile to study more. Results indicate that Vasa Concept improves the recovery of motor performance.

In Our study, significant changes were found in Berg balance test (mean change 4,8 p) and Hand grip strength (mean change 4,38 kg). Pre-walking skills progressed with each participant.

CONCLUSION

When performing Vasa Concept exercises regularly, chronic stroke and TBI patient can achieve improvement on quality and independence of movement and achieve better body control on developmental stages of gait and thereby the gait itself.

DISCUSSION

This research provides a perspective that the plasticity of human neural network needs to be understood as reciprocal information processor. The patient is a whole body and human being, not a paralysed arm or poor walker. There is a need for further multidisciplinary research about Vasa Concept with a larger patient group. New measurements on quality of movement and the consensus within movement theories are also essential.

We are excited to discuss Our topic with You. We are interested in multidisciplinary and international research on Vasa Concept with larger n-group.

Principal Investigator, PhD, Neuropsychologist, Liisa Paavola, liisa.paavola@neural.fi Research coordinator, Occupational therapist, Mari Tynkkynen, mari.tynkkynen@terapiaperhonen.com

Vasa Concept Global ry, Finland