A person may experience hemiparesis, or one-sided weakness, following a stroke or another condition, such as a brain tumor. It can affect a range of different body parts, including the hands and feet.
Specifically, the stroke may cause weakness in the right side of the brain or the left side of the brain. This may depend on the part of the brain where the stroke occurred.
Hemiparesis can make it difficult for a person to carry out their daily activities, such as eating, dressing, or walking. However, there are some possible treatments for hemiparesis, which can involve electrical stimulation of the brain or body parts, that can help restore strength and movement.
Read on to learn more about hemiparesis, including a range of actions a person can take to support recovery from this condition.

Hemiparesis means one-sided weakness. Around
It can happen on one side, unilateral hemiparesis, or on both sides, diplegic or paraplegic hemiparesis, of the body. The part, or parts, of the body affected by hemiparesis depends on the part of the brain affected by the stroke.
The left side of the brain
The right side of the brain controls nonverbal communication and some behaviors. Injuring the right side of the brain can cause weakness on the left side of the body.
Some forms of hemiparesis include:
Ipsilateral hemiparesis
Some people experience weakness on the same side of the body as the side of the brain that was affected by the stroke. This is known as ipsilateral hemiparesis.
A
Ataxic hemiparesis
Ataxia occurs when a person has trouble coordinating their voluntary muscle movements. In ataxic hemiparesis, this difficulty presents on one side of the body.
Ataxia has a number of possible causes, and it can
Spastic hemiparesis
Spasticity refers to the condition where a person has
Spastic hemiparesis means having an abnormal level of muscle stiffness on one side of the body. It usually affects a person’s arm more than their leg.
Hemiparesis is different than hemiplegia. Following a stroke, a person can develop either condition.
While hemiparesis causes muscle weakness, hemiplegia causes total loss of muscle function. Loss of muscle function is also called paralysis.
Stroke
However, people with other conditions can experience hemiparesis. These may include:
The one-sided weakness a person with hemiparesis experiences
This can have one or more of the following effects on a person:
- loss of balance
- difficulty walking
- difficulty grasping objects
- decreased movement precision
- muscle fatigue
- lack of coordination
Hemiparesis is
A doctor may also use an MRI scan when stroke is suspected to detect any restricted blood flow to the brain. According to older research from 2007, MRIs are considered more accurate at detecting stroke than CT.
Additionally,
A range of rehabilitation therapies are available for the treatment of hemiparesis:
Modified constraint-induced therapy (mCIT)
This is an effective treatment to enhance upper limb function in people following a stroke. Upper limb dysfunction can have a profound effect on day-to-day activities.
This therapy type focuses on helping limit use of the upper limbs on the unaffected side of the body, thus promoting the use of the more affected limbs. The unaffected upper limbs may need restraining, such as using slings or mitts. It typically involves repeated, concentrated training.
Other therapies, such as mental imagery, may be used
However, further research into the longer-term effects of mCIT is needed.
Mental imagery
Both mental visualization and physical movement
Combining mental imagery with other therapies can be beneficial in improving impairment and upper extremity activity in people with hemiparesis.
Electrical stimulation
Electrical stimulation involves placing small electrical pads on a person’s weakened muscles. This treatment delivers an electrical shock to the muscle, which
The shock may either feel like a burning sensation or a mild tingling, depending on the shock intensity.
Improved movement and motor control are benefits of this treatment.
Cortical stimulation
Doctors place a tiny electrode on the dura, which is the membrane covering the brain, of a person receiving cortical stimulation. While the person participates in rehabilitation exercises, the electrode sends an electrical current to the brain.
However, older research from 2016 — specifically the Everest phase III trial — looking into the effectiveness of cortical stimulation in helping a person regain hand motor skills has not been conclusive.
The researchers found that 24 weeks after rehabilitation, the participants who underwent cortical stimulation showed functional improvements when compared with the control group.
Still, they urged caution in interpreting the results because the improvements may have been in part due to the cortical stimulation group receiving more attention from the researchers — a scientific phenomenon known as the “Hawthorne effect.”
Assistive devices
The
- braces, such as an ankle-foot brace
- canes
- walkers, or a walking aid with four points of contact with the ground
- wheelchairs
Practicing regularly with an assistive device can help a person improve managing their movements and flexibility, and support repairing damaged nerves. A person should work with a healthcare professional to develop a plan that includes appropriate exercises.
The
Home modifications to help make life easier include:
- raising the toilet seat
- installing a bench in the bathtub, with adhesive strips on the bottom of the tub
- purchasing an electric toothbrush and razor if required
- installing grab bars and ramps wherever helpful in the home
Lifestyle changes to help speed up recovery and prevent falls include:
- staying active to strengthen muscles and improve balance
- wearing flat, wide-toed shoes to help with balance
- using one of the prescribed assistive devices mentioned above rather than grabbing onto furniture for support
- avoiding activities that become unsafe when taking medicines that cause drowsiness
- being mindful while walking to avoid falling
Hemiparesis means one-sided weakness. Symptoms include loss of balance and lack of coordination. A stroke or another type of brain trauma can cause hemiparesis.
Treatments range from electrical stimulation to using assistive devices. A range of lifestyle and home modifications can also support a person’s recovery.