Neurodevelopmental treatment: application to nursing and effects on the hemiplegic stroke patient

Nursing care of the hemiplegic stroke patient is based on a traditional approach, using compensatory rehabilitative principles. However, during recent years, the neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) approach, based on the noncompensatory rehabilitative principles and focused on activating the affected side of the hemiplegic stroke patient, is increasingly begin applied to neuroscience nursing. Until recently, little evidence existed to support the superiority of the NDT approach. The NDT approach requires considerable investment in education and training. Therefore, benefit of the NDT approach in comparison to the traditional approach must be assessed and interventions applied accordingly.