Outcome measures in neurophysiotherapy for the arm and hand: have we lost our grip?

Effects of mobilization and tactile stimulation on chronic upper-limb sensorimotor dysfunction after stroke

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Mobilization and Tactile Stimulation (MTS) and patterns of recovery in chronic stroke (>12mo) when upper limb (UL) "performance" has reached a clear plateau.

DESIGN

Replicated single-system experimental study with 8 single cases using A-B-A design (baseline-intervention-withdrawal phases); length of baseline randomly determined; intervention phase involved 6 weeks of daily MTS to the contralesional UL.

SETTING

Community setting, within participants' place of residence.

PARTICIPANTS

Individual stroke survivors (N=8; male-to-female ratio, 3:1; age range, 49-76y; 4 with left hemiplegia, 4 with right hemiplegia) discharged from ongoing therapy, more than 1 year post stroke (range, 14-48mo). Clinical presentations were varied across the sample.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants received up to 1 hour of daily (Monday to Friday) treatment with MTS to the UL for 6 weeks during the intervention (B) phase.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Motor function (Action Research Arm Test [ARAT]) and motor impairment (Motricity Index [MI] arm section) of the UL.

RESULTS

UL performance was stable during baseline for all participants. On visual analysis, improvements in motor impairment were seen in all participants, and clinically significant improvements in motor function were seen in 4 of 8 participants during the intervention phase. Latency between onset of intervention and improvement ranged from 5 to 31 days (ARAT) and from 0 to 28 days (MI). Improvements in performance were maintained on withdrawal of the intervention. Randomization tests were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

MTS appears to improve UL motor impairment and functional activity many months, even years, after stroke onset. Improvement can be immediate, but more often there is latency between the start of intervention and improvement; recovery can be distal to proximal.

Dose–Response Study of Mobilisation and Tactile Stimulation Therapy for the Upper Extremity Early After Stroke

Background. Physical therapy doses may need to be higher than provided in current clinical practice, especially for patients with severe paresis. The authors aimed to find the most effective and feasible dose of Mobilisation and Tactile Stimulation (MTS), which includes joint and soft-tissue mobilization and passive or active-assisted movement to enhance voluntary muscle contraction. Methods. This 2-center, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded feasibility trial compared conventional rehabilitation but no extra therapy (group 1) with conventional therapy plus 1 of 3 daily doses of MTS, up to 30 (group 2), 60 (group 3), or 120 (group 4) minutes for 14 days. The 76 participants had substantial paresis (Motricity Index [MI] < 61) a mean of 30 days (standard deviation [SD] = 20 days) after anterior circulation stroke. MTS was delivered using a standardized schedule of techniques (eg, sensory input, active-assisted movement). The primary outcome was the Motricity Index (MI) and secondary outcome was the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) tested on day 16. Adverse events were monitored daily. Results. No difference was found in the change in control group MI compared with each of the 3 intervention groups ( P = .593) or in the ARAT. Mean actual daily treatment time for all MTS groups was less than expected. The attrition rate was 1.3%. No adverse events related to overuse occurred. Conclusion. The authors were not able to deliver a maximum dose of 120 minutes of daily therapy each day. The mean daily dose of MTS feasible for subsequent evaluation is between 37 and 66 minutes.