Background and purpose: The objective of this case series is to report on the use of an optokinetic chart stimulation intervention to restore voluntary movement, postural control and mobility in acute stroke patients and one post intensive care polyneuropathy patient. Method: An optokinetic chart was moved in front of the patient: from side to side, up and down and finally forwards and backwards. Specific active-assisted exercises of affected shoulder anti-gravity muscles were also carried out. Results: Except for strokes involving basal ganglia, parietal and temporal lobes simultaneously, optokinetic stimulation was effective in restoring voluntary movements, postural control and mobility. Discussion: In single lobe strokes and those that do not involve simultaneous extensive damage to the basal ganglia, parietal and temporal lobes optokinetics may be one of the neuro-modulation techniques that use cranial nerve circuits of key movement and postural control input organs to enhance neural plasticity. Extensive temporal-parietal strokes may need longer periods of rehabilitation. Further research using a combination of vestibular interventions may provide an effective intervention for severely disabling extensive temporal-parietal strokes. Further studies with this optokinetic chart intervention are also recommended for chronic stroke patients.

With optokinetic chart stimulation leading to reversal of knee flexor contractures in one case and restoration of independent mobility in both cases, more research is needed to investigate use of optokinetic chart stimulation in patients with severe subdural haemorrhages and other traumatic brain injuries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:The aim was to compare follow up impairment, function and quality of life outcomes between dense parietal centred strokes treated by the optokinetic chart based OKCSIB protocol and those treated by conventional neuro-physiotherapy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Follow up retrospective case control series in the community. METHOD AND MATERIALS: 643 persons with stroke were eligible for initial screening to see if they met inclusion criteria. Only 37 potential participants were eligible, with 18 of them still alive. From the 18 only 8 consented to participate in the follow up study. RESULTS: Sixteen mortalities that occurred post discharge were all from the conventional group. The OKCSIB group had statistically significant improved upper limb STREAM scores (p < 0.05). The OKCSIB group had statistically significant reduction in hand spasticity with none of the OKCSIB participants developing hand spasticity (p < 0.05). The OKCSIB group also had better lower limb STREAM scores although these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Barthel Index, and quality of Life improvements were non-significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The OKCSIB protocol led to better recovery of voluntary movements at 3 year follow up. However lack of randomisation and the small number of participants, necessitate further research to be carried out.