title: A pilot study of rhythm and timing training as a supplement to occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is the leading cause of disability. A need exists for an effective intervention to enhance upper extremity (UE) motor abilities and activities of daily living (ADL) performance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this pilot study were to (1) determine the feasibility of adding Interactive Metronome (IM) to an occupational therapy (OT) program; and (2) determine changes in UE impairments, function, quality of life, and perceived physical performance ability and satisfaction using a combined IM + OT regimen compared with OT alone for adults with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study (n=10) used a 2-group (OT or IM+OT) pretest-posttest design. The intervention involved 60 minutes of IM + OT or OT alone, 3 days a week for 10 weeks. Outcome measures included the UE Fugl-Meyer (impairment), the Arm Motor Ability Test (function), the Box and Block Test (function), Stroke Impact Scale (quality of life), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (perceived performance ability and satisfaction).
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was feasible to add IM to OT. The IM+OT group demonstrated decreased impairment and increased quality of life. However, the OT-alone group demonstrated greater gains in function, perceived physical performance ability, and satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that rhythm and timing training using the IM is a feasible intervention to consider as part of therapy treatment. However, IM may fit best for prefunctional treatment, as it seemed to primarily decrease impairment. It may also serve as a supplement before or after treatment in order to maximize rehabilitation potential. Clinical implications and suggestions for future studies are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010507:Periodicity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult