What is Bilateral Arm Training?
Bilateral arm training (BAT) is a technique whereby clients simultaneously practice the same activities with both upper limbs (affected and unaffected) in a symmetrical or alternating pattern. The basic assumptions of BAT is that symmetrical bilateral movements activate similar neural networks in both hemispheres of the brain, promoting neural plasticity and cortical repair that result in improved motor control of the affected arm (McDermott & Korner-Bitensky, 2011). In other words, bilateral symmetrical movements allow for activation of the undamaged hemisphere, thus promoting neural plasticity to increase activation of the damaged hemisphere. As a result, movement of the controlled impaired limb can be facilitated. It is important to note that BAT is a non specific phrase for a number of training techniques, which uses both upper limbs to complete a task (Stoykov & Corcos, 2009). |
Improvements of BAT
Improvements from using BAT depend on the severity of the stroke (acute, subacute, chronic) and the types of BAT being used. In other words, improvements is varied upon different individuals. However, the following is a list of generic improvements resulting from the use of BAT as a therapeutic intervention found in the literature: