NBCOT Occupational Therapy Certification Practice Exam

The use of remedial treatment strategies, such as rubbing or stroking the involved extremity, is particularly effective in facilitating sensory return in the left upper extremity of an individual who has experienced a right cerebrovascular accident (CVA). This approach aims to enhance the individual's awareness of the affected limb and stimulate sensory pathways. By providing tactile inputs, the brain's ability to reorganize and recover function in the affected area is encouraged.

Rubbing or stroking the limb can lead to increased proprioceptive and tactile feedback, which is crucial for the rehabilitation process. This method helps to stimulate sensory receptors and promotes neural plasticity, allowing the individual to regain sensations and potentially improve motor function in the affected upper extremity over time.

In contrast, compensatory treatments, such as testing bathwater with the uninvolved extremity or utilizing one-handed cutting boards, focus on adaptations for function rather than promoting sensory recovery. These strategies might not actively engage the affected limb in sensory experiences necessary for recovery. Remedial strategies, on the other hand, prioritize rehabilitation by engaging the sensory systems of the involved extremity directly, which is essential for effective treatment post-CVA.