Effectiveness Of Combined Rehabilitation Intervention For Upper Limb Function In Chronic Stroke

Background Task-oriented circuit training using a Multi-Activities workstation emphasises goal-oriented tasks practiced in a circuit or series in order to learn a new skill. It can be used for upper limb rehabilitation among stroke patients in a community setting, but there is currently very little evidence available regarding its use in this patient group and setting. This study aimed to explore the influence of task-oriented circuit training using a Multi-Activities workstation on upper limb function among community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke. Methods A pre-test–post-test study was conducted involving 17 community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke who were attending a stroke rehabilitation centre. Six weeks of task-oriented circuit training was given using a Multi-Activities workstation aimed to improve strength, range of motion and dexterity. Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test and Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory were used to measure outcomes. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for data analysis. Results A total of 12 sessions of task-oriented circuit training using Multi-Activities workstations did not result in any statistically significant differences in outcome measures. Conclusions Task-oriented circuit training using the Multi-Activities workstation did not improve upper limb function in community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke.

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Correlated Change in Upper Limb Function and Motor Cortex Activation After Verum and Sham Acupuncture in Patients with Chronic Stroke

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine ◽

10.1089/acm.2007.6316 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 527-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Judith D. Schaechter ◽

Brendan D. Connell ◽

William B. Stason ◽

Ted J. Kaptchuk ◽

David E. Krebs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Sham Acupuncture ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Limb Function ◽

Upper Limb Function

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Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Bilateral Arm Training in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11081032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1032

Author(s):

Yo-Han Song ◽

Hyun-Min Lee

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Limb Function ◽

Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽

Upper Limb Function ◽

Artificial Environment ◽

Beta Power ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bilateral Arm Training

Virtual reality (VR)-based therapies are widely used in stroke rehabilitation. Although various studies have used VR techniques for bilateral upper limb training, most have been only semi-immersive and have only been performed in an artificial environment. This study developed VR content and protocols based on activities of daily living to provide immersive VR-based bilateral arm training (VRBAT) for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. Twelve patients with chronic stroke were randomized to a VRBAT group or a normal bilateral arm training (NBAT) group and attended 30-min training sessions five times a week for four weeks. At the end of the training, there was a significant difference in upper limb function in both groups (p < 0.05) and in the upper limb function sensory test for proprioception in the NBAT group (p < 0.05). There was no significant between-group difference in upper limb muscle activity after training. The relative alpha and beta power values for electroencephalographic measurements were significantly improved in both groups. These findings indicate that both VRBAT and NBAT are effective interventions for improving upper limb function and electroencephalographic activity in patients with chronic stroke.

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