title: A comparison of hemisphere-specific training pattern in Inter-limb Learning Transfer (ILT) for stroke patients with hemiparesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke patients have major problems with impaired upper-extremity function. Unfortunately, many patients do not experience a full recovery from movement deficits in the upper extremities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of inter-limb learning transfer (ILT) to the contralateral upper limb after both hemisphere-specific and -unspecific ipsilateral upper limb training for stroke patients with hemiparesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four stroke patients with hemiparesis participated. The hemisphere-specific training group performed reaching movements in a customized training setting in which non-dominant limb training participants began from a single starting location and proceeded to one of three target locations (1S3T condition); the dominant limb training participants started from one of three starting locations and proceeded to a single target location (3S1T condition). The hemisphere-unspecific training group performed these movements starting under reverse-start and target conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The non-dominant to dominant limb transfer, the hemisphere-specific training group performance time decreased significantly as compared with the pre-training session (p < 0.05). Also, the isolation contraction ratio was decreased significantly from that of the pre-training session in the biceps brachii muscles and increased significantly in the upper trapezius muscles (p < 0.05). And, dominant to non-dominant limb transfer in the hemisphere-specific training group significantly increased RMS amplitudes from the pre-training session in the biceps brachii and triceps muscles (p < 0.05). Also, the isolation contraction ratio was increased significantly from that of the pre-training session in the biceps brachii muscles and decreased significantly in the upper trapezius muscles (p < 0.05). However, the hemisphere-unspecific training group showed no significant differences in inter-limb learning transfer (ILT).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transfer of hemisphere-specific training from one arm to the other had a more positive influence on functional recovery than did hemisphere-unspecific training for patients with stroke and hemiparesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Alternative Medicine, Jeonju University, Hyoja-dong 3-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-gyu
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Heungup-myun, Wonju-si, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-ye
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Heungup-myun, Wonju-si, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Heungup-myun, Wonju-si, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Hanseo University, Haemi-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-hyuk
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Control & Instrumentation Engineering, Kangwon National University, Jungangno 1-ga, Samcheok-si, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Electromyography; hemisphere; inter-limb learning transfer