PTA Physical Therapy Assistant

Answer: D - Active initiation of synergies is Stage 3 of Brunnstorm’s stages of recovery for upper extremity.

Brunnstorm’s stage of recovery for upper extremity has 6 stages:
Stage 1 - Flaccid, no voluntary movement can be initiated
Stage 2 - Beginning of spasticity, presence of basic limb synergies
Stage 3 - Active initiation of synergies, voluntary control over synergies
Stage 4 - Movement patterns out of synergy are mastered, decrease in spasticity
Stage 5 - More complex movement combinations are learned as the basic synergies lose their dominance over motor acts, further decrease in spasticity
Stage 6 - Disappearance of spasticity. Isolated joint movements with well coordination and appears normal