Brunnstrom's 7 Stages of Recovery

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 1?

• No voluntary movement

• Flaccidity/no active movement

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 2?

• Basic limb synergies begin to appear

• Spasticity begins

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 3?

• Synergies can be performed voluntarily

• Spasticity increases

• Strong synergy dominance

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 4?

• Spasticity begins decreasing

• Movement begins occurring outside basic synergies

⭐ Major transition point.

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 5?

• Further decrease in spasticity

• Increasing independence from limb synergies

• More complex voluntary movement

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 6?

• Isolated joint movements

• Movement performed with coordination

• Spasticity largely disappears

What occurs in Brunnstrom Stage 7?

Normal motor function restored

What is the easiest way to remember Brunnstrom's stages?

1: Nothing
2: Synergy begins
3: Synergy dominates
4: Break out of synergy
5: More independent movement
6: Isolated/coordination
7: Normal

⭐ Spasticity rises early → peaks around Stage 3 → declines afterward.