SHOULD STEREOTYPIC MOVEMENT SYNERGIES IN HEMIPARETIC PATIENTS BE CONSIDERED ADAPTIVE

The motor deficits observed in patients following some lesions of the central nervous system may be viewed as falling at one extreme of the continuum of possible motor behaviours. They are usually associated wi th an impaired ability to select and control specific movements from t he available repertoire. Such movements may not be viewed as abnormal. However, it is unlikely that the primary motor deficits can all be co nsidered adaptive.