title: A sensorimotor stimulation program for rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The hypothesis of this study is that intensive therapy by means of a sensory and motor stimulation program of the upper limb in patients with chronic hemiparesis and severe disability due to stroke increases mobility and sensibility, and improves the use of the affected limb in activities of daily living (ADL).
  
  
  METHODS
  The program consists of 16 sessions of sensory stimulation and functional activity training in the rehabilitation center, and daily sessions of tactile stimulation, mental imaginery and practice of ADL at home, during 8 weeks. An experimental group (EG) of 12 patients followed this program, compared with a control group (CG) of 9 patients under standard rehabilitation. The efficacy of the program was evaluated by Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Motor Activity Log (MAL) and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16) scores, and a battery of sensory tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that in both groups, the motor FMA and the SIS-16 improved during the 8 weeks, this improvement being higher in the EG. Significant improvements were observed for the sensory tests in the EG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intensive sensorimotor stimulation program for the upper extremity may be an efficacious method for improving function and use of the affected limb in ADL in chronic stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Neurological Center of Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Diego
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Navarro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology