Physical therapy combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback techniques has also been beneficial. Electrical stimulation of the throat may help patients with dysphagia recover their ability to swallow faster. The use of an amphetamine may help improve motor skills when combined with physical therapy. Another interesting approach for patients with stroke in the right hemisphere uses a special prism and sounds that help the patient to regain the function in the left hemisphere, which suffers neglect when the right hemisphere is damaged by a stroke. Drug Therapy for Rehabilitation Drug therapy can sometimes help relieve specific effects of stroke.
Some patients experience intractable hiccups, which can be very serious.
Among the drugs used for this condition are chlorpromazine or baclofen. Certain drugs commonly taken for conditions associated with stroke may actually slow recovery. They include drugs used for high blood pressure, including clonidine and prazosin, anticonvulsant drugs, the antipsychotic drug haloperidol, and the common anti-anxiety drugs benzodiazepines. Managing the Emotional Consequences Strokes affecting the right hemisphere in the brain increase the patients risk for post-stroke depression. Feelings of great distress are natural after a stroke, in any case, but if depression is prolonged, it can impair recovery.