Can playing cards and other inexpensive activities assist stroke rehab?

A recent study published in the journal Lancet Neurology (and that was posted on medicalnewstoday.com) found that simple, inexpensive activities like playing cards are just as effective in helping people regain strength and co-ordination following a stroke as playing virtual reality games. This in turn could help many people who suffer from stroke who don’t have access to modern healthcare facilities or the ability to pay for more expensive therapy.

The study outlines the test in which 2 random groups participated in different forms of therapy (on top of conventional rehabilitation therapy). One group utilized virtual reality (via the Nintendo Wii System), and the other group spent the same amount of time doing simple recreational activities. Random patients from both groups saw 30%-40% improvement in motor performance by the end of the study.

The full article can be found here.

Have you used simple recreational activities with your patients? Is this something that you might try in future rehab sessions?

Let us know what you think in the comments and have a great weekend!

-Kevin Daniele