title: Effects of Computer-Aided Interlimb Force Coupling Training on Paretic Hand and Arm Motor Control following Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the training effects of interlimb force coupling training on paretic upper extremity outcomes in patients with chronic stroke and analyzed the relationship between motor recovery of the paretic hand, arm and functional performances on paretic upper limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial with outcome assessment at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three subjects with chronic stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to training (n = 16) and control groups (n = 17).
  
  
  METHODS
  The computer-aided interlimb force coupling training task with visual feedback included different grip force generation methods on both hands.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Barthel Index (BI), the upper extremity motor control Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE), the Motor Assessment Score (MAS), and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). All assessments were executed by a blinded evaluator, and data management and statistical analysis were also conducted by a blinded researcher.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training group demonstrated greater improvement on the FMA-UE (p<.001), WMFT (p<.001), MAS (p = .004) and BI (p = .037) than the control group after 4 weeks of intervention. In addition, a moderate correlation was found between the improvement of scores for hand scales of the FMA and other portions of the FMA UE (r = .528, p = .018) or MAS (r = .596, p = .015) in the training group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-aided interlimb force coupling training improves the motor recovery of a paretic hand, and facilitates motor control and enhances functional performance in the paretic upper extremity of people with chronic stroke.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02247674.
authors.affiliation: School of Gerontology Health Management & Master Program in Long-Term Care, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Chueh-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Li-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Hong-Ji
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Po-Yi
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Cheng Hsin Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Fu-Kong
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Lieu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Shang-Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
authors.forename: Wen-Hsu
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D009068:Movement; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted