Hartwig Woldag1, Katharina Stupka, Horst Hummelsheim. 1. Neurologisches Rehabilitationszentrum Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Muldentalweg 1, Bennewitz bei Leipzig, German. woldag@sachsenklinik.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Repetitive training of simple upper limb movements is effective in stroke rehabilitation. For the repetitive training of complex movements, however, results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine whether repetitive training of complex upper limb movements, focussing on strength and velocity as shaping elements, is effective in stroke rehabilitation. DESIGN: Longitudinal study, A-B-A design. PATIENTS: Fifteen first-ever stroke patients. METHODS: Phases (A): "house-typical" therapy and repetitive training of: (i) grasping and transport movements; and (ii) sawing movements of the affected arm with shaping elements and focussing on velocity over 10 min each, twice daily, 5 days per week. Phase B: "house-typical" occupational and physiotherapy. Each phase lasted 3 weeks. RESULTS: Patients experienced continuous functional improvement. Voluntary forces improved significantly during the first training phase. Sawing movement improved significantly only during phases A. The grasping and transport movement improved considerably during phase A with a trend of further improvement during the other phases. The transported weight clearly increases only during phases A. CONCLUSION: Repetitive training of complex movements results in motor improvement in stroke patients without relevant transfer to functional improvement if strength and velocity are to be enhanced as shaping elements.
OBJECTIVE: Repetitive training of simple upper limb movements is effective in stroke rehabilitation. For the repetitive training of complex movements, however, results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine whether repetitive training of complex upper limb movements, focussing on strength and velocity as shaping elements, is effective in stroke rehabilitation. DESIGN: Longitudinal study, A-B-A design. PATIENTS: Fifteen first-ever strokepatients. METHODS: Phases (A): "house-typical" therapy and repetitive training of: (i) grasping and transport movements; and (ii) sawing movements of the affected arm with shaping elements and focussing on velocity over 10 min each, twice daily, 5 days per week. Phase B: "house-typical" occupational and physiotherapy. Each phase lasted 3 weeks. RESULTS:Patients experienced continuous functional improvement. Voluntary forces improved significantly during the first training phase. Sawing movement improved significantly only during phases A. The grasping and transport movement improved considerably during phase A with a trend of further improvement during the other phases. The transported weight clearly increases only during phases A. CONCLUSION: Repetitive training of complex movements results in motor improvement in strokepatients without relevant transfer to functional improvement if strength and velocity are to be enhanced as shaping elements.
Authors: Alexander W Dromerick; Matthew A Edwardson; Dorothy F Edwards; Margot L Giannetti; Jessica Barth; Kathaleen P Brady; Evan Chan; Ming T Tan; Irfan Tamboli; Ruth Chia; Michael Orquiza; Robert M Padilla; Amrita K Cheema; Mark E Mapstone; Massimo S Fiandaca; Howard J Federoff; Elissa L Newport Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 3.169
Authors: P J Standen; K Threapleton; A Richardson; L Connell; D J Brown; S Battersby; F Platts; A Burton Journal: Clin Rehabil Date: 2016-07-10 Impact factor: 3.477