Mostajeran M, Alizadeh S, Rostami HR, Ghaffari A, Adibi I. Feasibility and efficacy of an early sensory-motor rehabilitation program on hand function in patients with stroke: a pilot, single-subject experimental design.
Neurol Sci 2024;
45:2737-2746. [PMID:
38158472 DOI:
10.1007/s10072-023-07288-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Hand and upper limb functional impairments following stroke lead to limitations in performing activities of daily living. We aimed to investigate feasibility and efficacy of an early sensory-motor rehabilitation program on hand and upper limb function in patients with acute stroke.
DESIGN
A pilot, single-subject experimental, A-B-A study.
SETTING
Stroke unit of an educational hospital and an outpatient occupational therapy clinic.
PARTICIPANTS
A convenience sample including five people with acute stroke.
PROCEDURES
Participants received 3 h of an intensive hand and upper limb sensory and motor rehabilitation program, 5 days per week for 3 months (15-min mental imagery, 15-min action observation, 30-min mirror therapy, 1.5-h constraint-induced movement therapy, and 30-min bilateral arm training). Activities were chosen based on the task-oriented occupational therapy approach.
OUTCOME MEASURES
An assessor blinded to intervention program measured sensory and motor functions using action research arm test, box and block test, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, and upper extremity section of Fugl-Meyer assessment.
RESULTS
Assessment data points in intervention and follow-up phases compared to baseline were in higher levels, sloped upwardly, and increased significantly for all participants in all outcome measures.
CONCLUSIONS
The present pilot study showed that a package of nowadays evidence-based rehabilitation methods including mental imagery, action observation, mirror therapy, modified constraint-induced movement therapy, bilateral arm training, and task-oriented occupational therapy approach is able to improve sensory and motor functions of the hand and upper limb in patients with acute stroke.
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