Upper extremity improvements in chronic stroke: coupled bilateral load training.
BACKGROUND
The current treatment intervention study determined the effect of coupled bilateral training (i.e., bilateral movements and EMG-triggered neuromuscular stimulation) and resistive load (mass) on upper extremity motor recovery in chronic stroke.


METHODS
Thirty chronic stroke subjects were randomly assigned to one of three behavioral treatment groups and completed 6 hours of rehabilitation in 4 days: (1) coupled bilateral training with a load on the unimpaired hand, (2) coupled bilateral training with no load on the unimpaired hand, and (3) control (no stimulation assistance or load).


RESULTS
Separate mixed design ANOVAs revealed improved motor capabilities by the coupled bilateral groups. From the pretest to the posttest, both the coupled bilateral no load and load groups moved a higher number of blocks and demonstrated more regularity in the sustained contraction task. Faster motor reaction times across test sessions for the coupled bilateral load group provided additional evidence for improved motor capabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
Together these behavioral findings lend support to the contribution of coupled bilateral training with a load on the unimpaired arm to improved motor capabilities on the impaired arm. This evidence supports a neural explanation in that simultaneously moving both limbs during stroke rehabilitation training appears to activate balanced interhemispheric interactions while an extra load on the unimpaired limb provides stability to the system.
Cauraugh
James H
JH
Motor Behavior Laboratory, Applied Physiology and Kinesiology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. jcaura@hhp.ufl.edu
Coombes
Stephen A
SA
Lodha
Neha
N
Naik
Sagar K
SK
Summers
Jeffery J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography; D019277:Entropy; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing