title: Insights into upper limb kinematics and trunk control one year after task-related training in chronic post-stroke individuals.
abstract: METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Long-term follow-up of training investigations involving post-stroke individuals can lead to advancing clinical decisions. Extended task-related training (TRT) effects on reaching with the impaired upper limb were evaluated, using a pre-test/posttest/follow-up design.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  One-year follow-up examinations analyzed whether improved shoulder and elbow motion were maintained following prolonged practice of the upper limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Long-term kinematic analysis on 21 moderately impaired post-stroke participants (upper extremity Fugl-Meyer between 19 and 40/66), as well as results from standardized outcome measures performed on these patients and another 16 post-stroke participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant initial changes were maintained for kinematic shoulder and elbow motion, as well as functional measures. Compensatory reaching involving the trunk has been shown to be maintainable, but ultimately less efficient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training that involves a conscious decision to control the trunk led to the most improved functional performance, and may lead to ideal restorative strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  2B.
authors.affiliation: Motor Control Research Lab, Physical Therapy Department, University of the Sciences, 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. g.thielm@usp.edu
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thielman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology