Isabelle Laffont1, Jerome Froger2, Claire Jourdan3, Karima Bakhti3, Liesjet E H van Dokkum4, Abdelkader Gouaich5, Huei Yune Bonnin6, Philippe Armingaud6, Audrey Jaussent7, Marie Christine Picot7, Emmanuelle Le Bars8, Arnaud Dupeyron2, Caroline Arquizan9, Anthony Gelis10, Denis Mottet11. 1. PRM Department, University of Montpellier, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier University Hospital, 191, boulevard du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34291 Montpellier cedex 05, France; IFRH, Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: i-laffont@chu-montpellier.fr. 2. IFRH, Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; PRM Department, University of Montpellier, Nimes University Hospital, Grau du Roi, France. 3. PRM Department, University of Montpellier, Hôpital Lapeyronie, Montpellier University Hospital, 191, boulevard du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34291 Montpellier cedex 05, France; IFRH, Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. 4. Neuro Imagery Department, University of Montpellier, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France. 5. LIRMM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. 6. PRM Department, University of Montpellier, Nimes University Hospital, Grau du Roi, France. 7. Inserm, Clinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France. 8. CNRS, L2C, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Neuro Imagery Department, University of Montpellier, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France. 9. Neurology Department, University of Montpellier, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France. 10. PRM Department, Propara Center, Montpellier, France; Epsylon, Paul Valery University, Montpellier, France. 11. IFRH, Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few rehabilitation methods have proven their efficacy in increasing sensori-motor recovery and/or function of the upper limb (UL) after stroke. Video games (VGs) are promising tools in this indication. OBJECTIVE: To compare UL rehabilitation by using VGs and conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients with sub-acute stroke. DESIGN: Single-blind, multicentric trial, with central randomization and stratification by center. SETTING:Physical and rehabilitation medicine departments of 2 university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adults within 3 months after a first vascular cerebral accident, with UL Fugl Meyer Score (UL-FMS)<30/66 and without major cognitive impairment. INTERVENTION: A 45-min additional session of conventional occupational therapy (OT) or a VG-based OT session as add-on therapy to usual rehabilitation programs, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: UL-FMS. Secondary outcome: Box and Block Test (BBT), Wolf Motor Function test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), Barthel Index and quality of life (SF-36). RESULTS: We included 51 patients (20 women) at a mean (SD) of 27.2 (19.4) days post-stroke (mean age 58 years [range 24-83]), 26 in the CR group and 25 in the VG group (23 in each group at 6-month follow-up). The mean duration of the additional rehabilitation session was similar in both groups: 29.3 (4.3) vs 28.0 (4.4) min in CR and VG groups. Shoulder pain occurred in 4 patients in the VG group versus 7 in the CR group. At day 45, gain in UL-FMS did not significantly differ between the groups (CR mean 17.8 [14.6] vs VG 24.1 [14.8]; P=0.10), whereas gain in BBT was doubled in the VG group (CR 7.4 [12.2] vs VG 15.7 [16.3]; P=0.02). At 6-month follow-up, the study was inconclusive about between-group differences in UL-FMS, BBT and other criteria. Post-hoc analysis showed that gains in UL-FMS or BBT were significantly higher in the VG than CR group for patients included within 30 days post-stroke. CONCLUSION: In general, we cannot conclude that video gaming and conventional OT led to different long-term sensorimotor recovery of the UL after sub-acute stroke. However, when applied within the first month after stroke, video gaming was more efficient than conventional rehabilitation on both sensorimotor recovery and gross grasping function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01554449).
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Few rehabilitation methods have proven their efficacy in increasing sensori-motor recovery and/or function of the upper limb (UL) after stroke. Video games (VGs) are promising tools in this indication. OBJECTIVE: To compare UL rehabilitation by using VGs and conventional rehabilitation (CR) in patients with sub-acute stroke. DESIGN: Single-blind, multicentric trial, with central randomization and stratification by center. SETTING: Physical and rehabilitation medicine departments of 2 university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adults within 3 months after a first vascular cerebral accident, with UL Fugl Meyer Score (UL-FMS)<30/66 and without major cognitive impairment. INTERVENTION: A 45-min additional session of conventional occupational therapy (OT) or a VG-based OT session as add-on therapy to usual rehabilitation programs, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome: UL-FMS. Secondary outcome: Box and Block Test (BBT), Wolf Motor Function test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), Barthel Index and quality of life (SF-36). RESULTS: We included 51 patients (20 women) at a mean (SD) of 27.2 (19.4) days post-stroke (mean age 58 years [range 24-83]), 26 in the CR group and 25 in the VG group (23 in each group at 6-month follow-up). The mean duration of the additional rehabilitation session was similar in both groups: 29.3 (4.3) vs 28.0 (4.4) min in CR and VG groups. Shoulder pain occurred in 4 patients in the VG group versus 7 in the CR group. At day 45, gain in UL-FMS did not significantly differ between the groups (CR mean 17.8 [14.6] vs VG 24.1 [14.8]; P=0.10), whereas gain in BBT was doubled in the VG group (CR 7.4 [12.2] vs VG 15.7 [16.3]; P=0.02). At 6-month follow-up, the study was inconclusive about between-group differences in UL-FMS, BBT and other criteria. Post-hoc analysis showed that gains in UL-FMS or BBT were significantly higher in the VG than CR group for patients included within 30 days post-stroke. CONCLUSION: In general, we cannot conclude that video gaming and conventional OT led to different long-term sensorimotor recovery of the UL after sub-acute stroke. However, when applied within the first month after stroke, video gaming was more efficient than conventional rehabilitation on both sensorimotor recovery and gross grasping function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01554449).