title: Effectiveness of sensory and motor rehabilitation of the upper limb following the principles of neuroplasticity: patients stable poststroke.
abstract: Based on the principles of neuroplasticity, the purpose of this crossover study was to determine if improvement in upper extremity (UE) function and independence could be achieved in patients 6 months to 7 years poststroke following an outpatient rehabilitation program (supervised 1.5 hours per week for 8 weeks reinforced with home gloving unaffected side and attended, graded, repetitive sensory and motor training activities). Twenty-one subjects (right or left hemiparesis; able to walk 100 feet with or without a cane; partially opened and closed the hand; partially elevated the shoulder and elbow against gravity) were randomly assigned to Group A (sensory training 4 weeks, motor training 4 weeks) or Group B (motor training 4 weeks, sensory training 4 weeks). Greater than 20% (P < 0.01) improvement was measured in functional independence and UE function (fine motor, sensory discrimination, and musculoskeletal performance). Gains were hemispheric and training specific and maintained over 3 months. This study provides evidence documenting significant improvement in function in the late poststroke recovery period following 12 hours of supervised learning based sensory motor training.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome