title: Improved function after combined physical and mental practice after stroke: a case of hemiparesis and apraxia.
abstract: This study describes change in functional performance and self-perception after participation in combined training with physical practice followed by mental practice. The patient was a 44-yr-old white man who experienced a single left ischemic stroke 7 mo before enrollment in the study. He engaged in physical and mental practice of two functional tasks: (1) reaching for and grasping a cup and (2) turning pages in a book with the more-affected arm. Practice took place 3 times per week during 60-min sessions for 6 consecutive wk. Primary outcome measures were the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). An abbreviated version of the Florida Apraxia Battery gesture-to-verbal command test approximated severity of ideomotor apraxia. After intervention, the patient demonstrated increased functional performance (AMAT) and self-perception of performance (COPM) despite persistent ideomotor apraxia. The results of this single-case report indicate functional benefit from traditional rehabilitation techniques despite comorbid, persisting ideomotor apraxia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2003, Kansas City, KS, USA. awu@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Andy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Radel
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanna-Pladdy
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D020240:Apraxia, Ideomotor / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010291:Paresis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation