title: Functional principal component analysis as a new methodology for the analysis of the impact of two rehabilitation protocols in functional recovery after stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study addressed the problem of evaluating the effectiveness of two protocols of physiotherapy for functional recovery after stroke. In particular, the study explored the use of Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA), a multivariate data analysis in order to assess and clarify the process of regaining independence after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized double-blind controlled trial was performed. Thirteen subjects with residual hemiparesis after a single stroke episode were measured in both in- and outpatient settings at a district hospital. All subjects were able to walk before suffering the stroke and were hemodynamically stable within the first week after stroke. Control and target groups were treated with conventional physiotherapy for stroke, but specific techniques were added for treatment of the target group depending on patients' functional levels.Independence level was assessed with the Barthel Index (BI) throughout 7 evolution stages (hemodynamic stability, beginning of standing, beginning of physical therapy sessions in the physiotherapy ward and monthly assessment for 6 months after stroke).
  
  
  RESULTS
  FPCA was applied for data analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in the dynamics of the recovery process between the two physiotherapy protocols. The target group showed a trend of improvement six months after stroke that was not present in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FPCA is a method which may be used to provide greater insight into the analysis of the rehabilitation process than that provided by conventional parametric methods. So, by using the whole curves as basic data parameters, subtle differences in the rehabilitation process can be found.FPCA represents a future aid for the fine analysis of similar physiotherapy techniques, when applied in subjects with a huge variability of functional recovery, as in the case of post-stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Valencia, C/Gascó Oliag n 5, 46010 Valencia, Spain. M.Luz.Sanchez@uv.es.
authors.forename: M Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Sánchez
authors.forename: Juan-Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Belda-Lois
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mena-del Horno
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Viosca-Herrero
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gisbert-Morant
authors.forename: Celedonia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Igual-Camacho
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bermejo-Bosch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D025341:Principal Component Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation