title: Feasibility of a self-rehabilitation program for the upper limb for stroke patients in Benin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stroke is a major cause of disability and represents a very high cost in developing countries. Self-rehabilitation programs represent a new and original treatment for stroke patients, likely to reduce upper limb impairments and improve activity and participation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a self-rehabilitation protocol in Benin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve chronic stroke patients carried out the upper limb self-rehabilitation program (3 hours/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks). The performance of these patients was evaluated before and after the self-rehabilitation program, by measuring the number of exercises that patients were able to achieve during a three-hour session, and by assessing their gross manual dexterity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients were effectively able to complete the entire program. The number of unimanual exercises and self-mobilizations performed during a three-hour session as well as the score of the Box and Block test were improved by the self-rehabilitation program (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-rehabilitation programs are feasible and inexpensive as they do not involve a therapist. It is then a promising approach in stroke rehabilitation, particularly in developing countries, where rehabilitation costs are usually supported by patients.
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ditouah Didier
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Niama Natta
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alagnide
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Godonou Toussaint
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Kpadonou
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gaëtan G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Stoquart
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Detrembleur
authors.affiliation: Université catholique de Louvain, cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: thierry.lejeune@uclouvain.be.
authors.forename: Thierry M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lejeune
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001541:Benin; D003906:Developing Countries; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D034941:Upper Extremity
keywords: Rehabilitation; Self-rehabilitation program; Stroke; Upper limb