Hand rehabilitation following stroke: a pilot study of assisted finger extension training in a virtual environment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of assisted motor training in a virtual environment on hand function in stroke survivors.


METHODS
Fifteen volunteer stroke survivors (32-88 years old) with chronic upper extremity hemiparesis (1-38 years post incident) took part.


METHODS
Participants had 6 weeks of training in reach-to-grasp of virtual and actual objects. They were randomized to one of three groups: assistance of digit extension provided by a novel cable orthosis, assistance provided by a novel pneumatic orthosis, or no assistance provided. Hand performance was evaluated at baseline, immediately following training, and 1 month after completion of training. Clinical assessments included the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Blocks Test (BB), Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Test (FM), and Rancho Los Amigos Functional Test of the Hemiparetic Upper Extremity (RLA). Biomechanical assessments included grip strength, extension range of motion and velocity, spasticity, and isometric strength.


RESULTS
Participants demonstrated a significant decrease in time to perform functional tasks for the WMFT (p = .02), an increase in the number of blocks successfully grasped and released during the BB (p = .09), and an increase for the FM score (p = .08). There were no statistically significant changes in time to complete tasks on the RLA or any of the biomechanical measures. Assistance of extension did not have a significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
After the training period, participants in all 3 groups demonstrated a decrease in time to perform some of the functional tasks. Although the overall gains were slight, the general acceptance of the novel rehabilitation tools by a population with substantial impairment suggests that a larger randomized controlled trial, potentially in a subacute population, may be warranted.
Fischer
Heidi C
HC
Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Stubblefield
Kathy
K
Kline
Tiffany
T
Luo
Xun
X
Kenyon
Robert V
RV
Kamper
Derek G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014584:User-Computer Interface