Effectiveness of unilateral and symmetrical bilateral task training for arm during the subacute phase after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of an arm training programme combining repetition of unilateral and symmetrical bilateral tasks for people in the subacute phase after stroke.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Inpatient functional rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
Forty-one people who had had a stroke, in the subacute phase, receiving conventional arm occupational and physical therapy, were randomized to an experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=21).


METHODS
In addition to the usual arm therapy in the rehabilitation unit, the experimental group received an arm therapy programme (15-20 45-min sessions) based on repetition of unilateral and symmetrical bilateral tasks. The control group received additional usual arm therapy of a similar duration and frequency to the experimental treatment.


METHODS
The effect of the programme was judged on the basis of: (1) arm impairments (motor function, grip strength, gross and fine manual dexterity and motor co-ordination), (2) arm disabilities in tasks related to daily activities, and (3) functional independence in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL).


RESULTS
Although both experimental and control groups of participants improved similarly during the study period, the statistical analyses did not show any difference between the groups at the end of the treatment for the different dependent variables evaluated: (1) arm impairments: p = 0.43-0.79; (2) arm disabilities: p = 0.16-0.90; and (3) functional independence: p = 0.63 and 0.90.


CONCLUSIONS
An arm training programme based on repetition of unilateral and symmetrical bilateral practice did not reduce impairment and disabilities nor improve functional outcomes in the subacute phase after stroke more than the usual therapy.
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Research Centre on Aging, Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. johanne.desrosiers@USherbrooke.ca
Bourbonnais
Daniel
D
Corriveau
Hélène
H
Gosselin
Suzanne
S
Bravo
Gina
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation