Effects of intensity of arm training on hemiplegic upper extremity motor recovery in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of different intensities of arm rehabilitation training on the functional recovery of hemiplegic upper extremity.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Thirty-two stroke patients meeting the enrolment criteria were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 11), group B (n = 10) and group C (n = 11). Each group received arm training for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours a day respectively, 5 days per week, for a period of six weeks.


METHODS
Motor function was assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Barthel Index, carried out before treatment, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after treatment.


RESULTS
When comparing the three groups, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment improvement was more significant in group C (20.50 ± 7.84) than that in group A (11.90 ± 6.52 ) and group B (13.80 ± 6.41) after four weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The Action Research Arm Test score improvement was more significant in group C (7.30 ± 2.95) than in group A (3.30 ± 2.91 ) (P < 0.05). After six weeks of treatment, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Action Research Arm Test score improvements were more significant in group C (24.50 ± 7.96, 10.90 ± 3.60) and group B (19.70 ± 7.09, 8.70 ± 4.62) than in group A (13.00 ± 6.38, 5.30 ± 3.40) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences of Barthel Index among the three groups (P > 0.05). In each group, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Barthel Index scores increased significantly after six weeks of treatment (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in the intensity of arm training might improve the motor function of the arm after stroke.
Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Shandong, China.
Chao
C
Han
Qiang
Q
Wang
Ping-ping
PP
Meng
Ming-zhu
MZ
Qi
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation