Stroke patients on P.E.I. get moving with new rehabilitation program

A new pilot project called Moving Life Forward through Movement and Music is aimed at getting stroke survivors moving to the beat.

"It challenges the brain to re-wire itself.'- Julia Sauve, movement instructor

With a P.E.I. Wellness Strategy grant, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has designed the program to help stroke survivors who are mobile regain strength, flexibility and balance while also retraining their brains.

"Our hope is that their family members and caregivers will be coming to class with them, so it's something they can take home as well," said movement educator Julia Sauve. "And maybe put on a piece of music that they love.

Simple movements, to the beat

"So it could be something as simple as taking your foot and touching it to the side and bringing it back to the middle, and being able to count and work with the music at the same time."

Sauve says including music is important.

"I think the music part, it brings a different rhythm and a different pattern to the body. What we're trying to do is create a certain attention and awareness in terms of going within and working with movement with the music," said Sauve.

"So it challenges the brain to re-wire itself, and create new neurons, new neural activity, and to have fun at the same time.

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"I always give the analogy of the red roads that we have on the Island. What we're trying to do with the nervous system is pave those roads. So when you learn to walk, ride a bike, bring a cup up to your mouth those are paved roads. When you're trying to learn a new movement activity, those might be the red roads. There might be a pothole there but you're trying to pave and work through that."

The program also receives support from Provincial Stroke Rehabilitation physiotherapist Trish Helm-Neima.

"In rehab, we basically talk about the repetition of movement and the pattern of movement is what's going to make you learn that movement," said Helm-Neima. "So if you can find a fun way to do that you are more likely to continue doing that repetition and to gain that function back."

Every year 300 Islanders havea stroke. And at any given time, 800 Islanders who've experienced stroke may be living with some degree of physicial or cognitive disability.

The course starts Monday Oct. 26 at the Brackley Commons Community Centre. There is a $15 registration fee. For more information call the PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation.

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