Helping Patients With Stroke Rehabilitation
Our outpatient stroke rehabilitation program provides comprehensive therapeutic care. Each survivor and their family receives personal, individualized treatment.
We use innovative, intensive therapies to help stroke survivors become independent and return to day-to-day activities. We help survivors achieve their personal goals (like returning to work) by helping survivors relearn skills:
- Movement
- Communication
- Cognition
- Swallowing (so stroke survivors can have a regular diet)
Our State-of-the-Art Stroke Equipment
Our facilities offer state-of-the-art equipment and programs so stroke survivors can have the fullest recovery possible. For example, we offer devices that help survivors with speech problems speak.
Our specialized equipment includes:
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Functional electrical stimulation equipment uses electricity to help your muscles recover and improve your cardiovascular health. We offer access to a full range of FES equipment:
- RT600 stander/stepper
- RT300 upper extremity cycle
- RT300 lower extremity cycle
- RT200 recumbent elliptical
- SAGE portable multi-channel stimulation
- Bioness L200 upper extremity and L300 (+) lower extremity neuroprosthesis: Bioness training and devices help patients regain motor control by stimulating their muscles. This is also called functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES.) The Bioness helps your body regain muscle motor control and timing so you can use your muscles correctly.
- InMotion Upper Extremity Robot: This device uses robotic arms to help you move and successfully complete the muscle repetitions you need for motor learning and recovery.
- Bioness BITS system: The BITS system is a therapy tool that helps patients perform common tasks by practicing visual motor activities, cognitive skills, endurance training, and visual and auditory processing (responding to sights and sounds). The Bioness gives patients immediate feedback on their performance.
- Biodex Gait Trainer: Researchers have found that training on a treadmill helps stroke survivors regain muscle function and improve mobility. This trainer provides real-time feedback, measurements, and results to help stroke survivors walk normally again.
- AlterG Treadmill: This antigravity treadmill allows you to practice walking. It gradually adds weight to your body while you鈥檙e walking so you can improve your strength, balance, and motor control.
Programs We Offer
Driving Program
Our driving program gives patients with serious injuries or disabilities the opportunity to practice driving, either with a computer simulator鈥攐r on the road. Our goal is to help get survivors back on the road safely and improve their independence. Therapists evaluate and then train survivors on the physical, cognitive, and visual aspects of driving, as well as reaction time.
Stroke Wellness Program
The stroke wellness program supports stroke survivors during and after therapy. We promote wellness during therapy so patients can be their healthiest selves and maintain the progress they have made in therapy. Our staff also stress the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle after therapy ends.
The wellness program teaches patients strength, conditioning, balance, and mobility exercises. We offer patients accessible equipment and experienced supervision.
TRAILS (Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle, & Sports) Program
TRAILS prepares patients with spinal cord injuries to live an active, healthy lifestyle through sports and exercise, recreation experiences, and education.
As an outreach program, TRAILS provides year-round programming.
Multidisciplinary Team
Our program is CARF accredited and practices a team approach. Experienced, neurologic clinical stroke specialists from many disciplines work together. Our team includes a variety of specialists that oversee your care:
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech language pathologists
Community-Based Research & Advocacy
Our therapists and clinicians participate in a number of community-based research and advocacy projects to make it easier for stoke survivors to get medical care and rejoin their communities.
Support Groups
U of U Health Stroke Support Group
Contact Information
Kara Tucker: kara.tucker@hsc.utah.edu
Collin Shepherd: collin.shepherd@hsc.utah.edu
Date & Time
Second Tuesday of every month from 6 pm to 7 pm
Location
Sugar House Health Center
3rd Floor Conference Room
1280 East Stringham Ave
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
U of U Health Caregiver Support Group
Contact Information
Chris Pace, LCSW: Chris.pace@utah.edu
Date & Time
First Tuesday of every month from 6:00-7:00pm
Location
Sugar House Health Center
Oquirrh Conference Room 3rd Floor
1280 East Stringham Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
We want our group participants to speak freely without worry that they may offend the person they care for. In an effort to allow our participants freedom of expression, please don't bring the person you are caring for to the group.