Abstract
Background
Arm-hand rehabilitation programs applied in stroke rehabilitation frequently target specific populations and thus are less applicable in heterogeneous patient populations. Besides, changes in arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skill performance (AHSP) during and after a specific and well-described rehabilitation treatment are often not well evaluated.
Method
This single-armed prospective cohort study featured three subgroups of stroke patients with either a severely, moderately or mildly impaired AHF. Rehabilitation treatment consisted of a Concise_ Arm_ and_ hand_ Rehabilitation_ Approach_ in_ Stroke (CARAS). Measurements at function and activity level were performed at admission, clinical discharge, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after clinical discharge.
Results
Eighty-nine stroke patients (M/F:63/23; mean age: 57.6yr (+/-10.6); post-stroke time: 29.8 days (+/-20.1)) participated. All patients improved on AHF and arm-hand capacity during and after rehabilitation, except on grip strength in the severely affected subgroup. Largest gains occurred in patients with a moderately affected AHF. As to self-perceived AHSP, on average, all subgroups improved over time. A small percentage of patients declined regarding self-perceived AHSP post-rehabilitation.
Conclusions
A majority of stroke patients across the whole arm-hand impairment severity spectrum significantly improved on AHF, arm-hand capacity and self-perceived AHSP. These were maintained up to one year post-rehabilitation. Results may serve as a control condition in future studies.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 0179453 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | PLOS ONE |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Jun 2017 |
Keywords
- RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
- CLINICALLY IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE
- UPPER-LIMB RECOVERY
- UPPER-EXTREMITY
- MOTOR RECOVERY
- ABILHAND QUESTIONNAIRE
- INTERRATER RELIABILITY
- OUTCOME MEASURES
- SUBACUTE STROKE
- ISCHEMIC-STROKE