Rust’s study (as cited in Schriner et al., 2014) stated that occupational therapy practitioners must apply fast brushing and icing to facilitate muscle activation while prolonged stretch and neutral warmth to encourage muscle relaxation before treatment begins. There are four components of motor control in rood approach. They are reciprocal innervation, an early mobility pattern that serve as a protective mechanism. It is a quick motion that requires contraction of the agonist muscles and relaxes the antagonistic muscles. The second component is co-contraction (co-innervation) provides stability to the body by simultaneous contraction of the agonist and antagonist muscles. It is considered to be a tonic (static) pattern. The third component is heavy work, which is the proximal muscles contract and provides mobility, and the distal segment of the body provides stability. Finally, skill is the highest level of motor control and allows the proximal segment is stabilized while the distal moves freely. Moreover, Rood believed that motor control could be either facilitated or inhibited while positioning patients into ontogenetic patterns of development and having patients to participate in functional activities that have meaning to them (Schriner et al., …show more content…
Levit’s study (as cited in Schriner et al., 2014) cited that NDT applied treatment techniques to reduce abnormal reflex activity in muscle tone and increase control of normal patterns of movement through therapist-controlled sensorimotor experiences within the context of task accomplishment. For example, when a patient has poor postural control, he/she will inevitably use compensatory methods in everyday functional activities by creating abnormal movement, which eventually disturbs the sensorimotor- sensory feedback loop. (DeGangi & Royeen, 1994). Therefore, in order to regain postural control and selective movement control, NDT utilizes preparatory stage to increase joint mobility and restore normal postural alignment. Besides, NDT uses facilitation techniques to provide and train the sensation of normal movement patterns by using light contact with key points of control and teach several methods to patients to practice functional use of the affected arm in occupation-as-means by using strong hand to guide weak hand. Furthermore, NDT practices inhibition methods to address tone, incoordination problems as well as restore normal alignment by lengthening spastic muscles, blocking abnormal patterns of movements, weight bearing and weight shifting (Schriner et al.,