Effects of an intensive, task-specific rehabilitation program for individuals with chronic stroke: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case series was to determine feasibility and evaluate changes in activity and participation outcomes in persons with chronic stroke after an intensive, task-specific rehabilitation program incorporating whole-body and client-centred interventions.


METHODS
Participants with chronic stroke (N = 12) who were ambulatory and had at least minimal arm/hand function were recruited. The program included whole-body goal-focused activities, gait training and strengthening exercises for 4 h, 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Daily educational sessions and a home activities program were also included. Activity-based measures including the Wolf motor function test, Berg balance scale, timed up and go test and 6-min walk test and participation-based measures including the Stroke Impact Scale and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were collected at pre-test, immediate post-test and 5-month retention.


RESULTS
The effect of the intervention on participation-based outcomes was much greater than on the activity-based outcomes. Minimal detectable differences in self-perceived participation were reported for most participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The intensive, task-specific intervention was a feasible program for these participants with stroke. Although minimal changes in activity-based outcomes were found, the participants perceived improvements in participation with personal goal-related activities that resulted in large effect sizes that were maintained for 5-months after the intervention.
Combs
Stephanie A
SA
Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, 1400 E. Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227, USA. scombs@uindy.edu
Kelly
Stephanie P
SP
Barton
Rebecca
R
Ivaska
Megan
M
Nowak
Kara
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation