早期康复治疗对急性脑卒中运动功能恢复的影响

探讨早期康复治疗对急性脑卒中偏瘫患者发病1个月时运动功能恢复的影响。方法:将57例脑卒中患者随机分为康复组和对照组。于发病后7—23天,对康复组30例脑卒中患者,用以Bobath为主的运动疗法进行康复训练,至病后1个月时结束,对照组27例脑卒中患者不接受康复训练。两组药物治疗基本相同。用Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定法(FMA)评定患者的运动功能;用脑卒中患者临床神经功能缺损程度评分标准(ND)评定患者的病情严重程度。结果:康复治疗前后康复组与对照组比较肌张力差异均无显著性(P>0.05);康复治疗前、后ND的差值康复组与对照组比较差异有显著性(P=0.01),康复治疗后,康复组神经功能缺损程度明显减轻;康复治疗前、后FMA评分的差值,康复组与对照组比较,上肢差异有显著性(P<0.05),下肢差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:脑卒中发病1个月内,早期短期的康复治疗,可降低临床神经功能缺损积分,提高患者的上肢运动功能。     

Functional Outcomes of a Community Occupation-Based Hand Therapy Class for Older Adults

Abstract

Aim: This mixed methods study examined the functional outcomes of an occupation-based educational program for older adults with hand and wrist pain. A pretest–posttest design was used to understand changes in occupational performance, hand function, pain, grip and pinch strength, dexterity. Method: Two groups of classes met once a week for one hour, for four consecutive weeks. A total of 18 participants attended both weekly classes. Each class addressed functional activities, symptom management, exercises, questions, and sharing. Class content was determined based on pre-assessments of the Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM), tests of grip and pinch strength, hand dexterity, and open-ended semi-structured interviews. Results: All participants reported improvements in function, and significant improvements in COPM performance and satisfaction. Additionally, reported levels of pain significantly decreased from pre- to posttest. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a community occupation-based hand therapy program is effective in improving occupational performance for older adults.     

Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to the non-lesioned hemisphere improves paretic arm reach-to-grasp performance after chronic stroke

Purpose: To investigate the effect of inhibitory low frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) applied to the non-lesioned hemisphere on kinematics and coordination of paretic arm reach-to-grasp (RTG) actions in individuals with stroke. Relevance: This study is designed as a phase I trial to determine the feasibility and efficacy of low frequency rTMS applied to the non-lesioned hemisphere for the recovery of reach-to-grasp actions in individuals with hemiparesis secondary to stroke. The results have important implications for the use of rTMS in parallel with complex paretic arm skill practice. Participants: Nine adults, anterior circulation unilateral stroke. Their average age was 59 years, the average time since stroke was 4.8 years. Method and analysis: Two TMS treatments were performed on two separate days: active rTMS and sham rTMS. Cortico-motor excitability (CE) of the non-lesioned hemisphere as well as RTG kinematics of the paretic hand as participants reached for a dowel of 1.2?cm in diameter was assessed before and after the rTMS treatments. In the active condition, rTMS was applied over the “hot spot” of the extensor digitorum communis muscle (EDC) in primary motor cortex (M1) of the non-lesioned hemisphere at 90% resting motor threshold. TMS pulses were delivered at 1 Hz for 20?min. In the sham condition, a sham coil was positioned similar to the active condition; TMS clicking noise was produced but no TMS pulse was delivered. Dependent measures: CE was measured as peak-to-peak amplitude of the motor evoked potential at 120% of resting motor threshold. RTG kinematics included movement time, peak transport velocity, peak aperture, time of peak transport velocity and time of peak aperture. RTG coordination was captured by cross correlation coefficient between transport velocity and grasp aperture size. Results: While 1 Hz rTMS applied over non-lesioned M1 significantly decreased the MEP amplitude of non-paretic EDC, sham TMS did not have a significant effect on MEP amplitude. Active rTMS significantly decreased total movement time and increased peak grasp aperture. There were no changes in peak transport velocity or the time of peak transport velocity or the time of peak aperture after application of active rTMS. Additionally, the participants completed RTG actions with a more coordinated pattern after undergoing active rTMS. Following sham TMS, there were no changes in CE, RTG kinematics or coordination. While there were no significant correlation between changes in cortico-motor excitability and RTG kinematics, the decrease in cortico-motor excitability of the non-lesioned hemisphere showed a strong correlation with an increase in cross-correlation coefficient. Conclusions and implications: The findings demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of low frequency rTMS applied to the non-lesioned hemisphere for the recovery of reach-to-grasp actions in individuals with hemiparesis secondary to stroke. The inhibitory effect of low frequency rTMS resulted in improved paretic hand reach-to-grasp performance with faster movement time and more coordinated reach-to-grasp pattern. These results have important implications for the use of rTMS for stroke rehabilitation.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) to the non-lesioned hemisphere improves paretic arm reach-to-grasp performance.

• The preliminary results have important implications for the use of LF-rTMS as conjunctive intervention for stroke rehabilitation.

     

The Effect of Self-directed Exercise Using a Task Board on Pain and Function in the Upper Extremities of Stroke Patients

[Purpose] We evaluated the effect of self-directed exercise using a task board on function and pain in the upper extremities of stroke patients [Subjects and Methods] We used the one group pre-post test design. Seven stroke patients who were selected based on the inclusion criteria participated in the program once a week for 10 weeks. The self-directed exercise comprised 5 stages that were divided according to the level of difficulty. The exercise was performed for 60 minutes using a special task board that we designed. The FMA (Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment), VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), and speed of stacking were assessed to evaluate the amount of use of the affected arm at before and after intervention. [Results] The scores of the VAS and FMA, but not that of the speed of stacking cups, were improved. There was no significant correlation between the changes in VAS, FMA, and the speed of stacking cups. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that self-directed exercise with the task board could improve the levels of function and pain in the upper extremities. We suggest that self-directed exercise can be utilized as a clinical rehabilitation program and improve therapeutic effects.Key words: Self-directed exercise, VAS, FMA     

综合干预对缺血性脑卒中患者运动功能、日常生活能力及焦虑抑郁情绪的影响

目的 探讨综合干预对缺血性脑卒中患者运动功能、日常生活能力及焦虑抑郁情绪的影响.方法 将72例缺血性脑卒中患者随机分为观察组和对照组各36例,两组均常规予以神经内科药物治疗,观察组在此基础上实施综合干预措施,时间为6 w.采用Fugl-Meyer运动功能评价量表(FMA)、Barthel指数(BMI)、Zung焦虑自评量表(SAS)及Zung抑郁自评量表(SDS)对两组患者分别于干预前及干预6 w末进行评定.结果 干预前,FMA、BMI、SAS及SDS评分两组间比较,差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05);但经过为期6 w的综合干预后,观察组FMA及BMI评分均显著高于对照组,而SAS及SDS评分则均显著低于对照组(P＜0.01).结论 综合干预不仅有助于缺血性脑卒中患者运动功能的恢复和日常生活活动能力的提高,而且有助于改善患者的焦虑抑郁情绪.     

The impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) on upper limb function in chronic stroke: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Purpose: This pilot double-blind sham-controlled randomized trial aimed to determine if the addition of anodal tDCS on the affected hemisphere or cathodal tDCS on unaffected hemisphere to modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) would be superior to constraints therapy alone in improving upper limb function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-one patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to receive 12 sessions of either (i) anodal, (ii) cathodal or (iii) sham tDCS combined with mCIMT. Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA), motor activity log scale (MAL), and handgrip strength were analyzed before, immediately, and 1 month (follow-up) after the treatment. Minimal clinically important difference (mCID) was defined as an increase of ≥5.25 in the upper limb FMA. Results: An increase in the FMA scores between the baseline and post-intervention and follow-up for active tDCS group was observed, whereas no difference was observed in the sham group. At post-intervention and follow-up, when compared with the sham group, only the anodal tDCS group achieved an improvement in the FMA scores. ANOVA showed that all groups demonstrated similar improvement over time for MAL and handgrip strength. In the active tDCS groups, 7/7 (anodal tDCS) 5/7 (cathodal tDCS) of patients experienced mCID against 3/7 in the sham group. Conclusion: The results support the merit of association of mCIMT with brain stimulation to augment clinical gains in rehabilitation after stroke. However, the anodal tDCS seems to have greater impact than the cathodal tDCS in increasing the mCIMT effects on motor function of chronic stroke patients.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The association of mCIMT with brain stimulation improves clinical gains in rehabilitation after stroke.

• The improvement in motor recovery (assessed by Fugl–Meyer scale) was only observed after anodal tDCS.

• The modulation of damaged hemisphere demonstrated greater improvements than the modulation of unaffected hemispheres.

     

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation during task-oriented exercise improves arm function for an individual with proximal arm dysfunction after stroke

This case report examined the effectiveness of a home program using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) during voluntary task-oriented exercise to achieve functional and impairment improvements for an individual with primarily proximal arm paresis after a stroke. The subject initially achieved a Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score of 58/66, but she reported minimal functional use of her involved, dominant arm. The 6-wk intervention consisted of NMES-assisted task practice involving repetitive reaching for and manipulation of small objects for three daily 15-min sessions. The subject applied NMES to the deltoid and triceps brachii muscles to augment shoulder flexion and abduction and elbow extension during task practice. Outcome measures included the FMA, the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and the Motor Activity Log Quality of Movement subscale (MAL-QOM). The FMA remained unchanged, but the ARAT and MAL-QOM showed improvements, from the beginning to the conclusion of the intervention, that were maintained at 6-wk follow-up.     

Improvements of task performance in daily life after acquired brain injury using commonly available everyday technology

Purpose.?To investigate how individualised occupation-based interventions with commonly available everyday technology (ET) can compensate for perceived difficulties with daily life tasks after an aquired brain injury (ABI) and improve satisfaction with occupational performance.

Method.?This intervention study was designed as a multiple case study according to Yin. Ten men and women with an ABI (traumatic or non-traumatic) participated. Data were collected through interviews, observations and field notes before and after the intervention and at follow-up (on average 11 weeks afterwards). The interventions focused on enabling each participant's prioritised goals related to task performance in daily life.

Results.?All participants achieved all their goals by learning to use both new functions in their own familiar ET and new ET. The participant's perceived difficulties in occupational performance decreased and their satisfaction with occupational performance increased with the use of ET.

Conclusions.?An individualised intervention process, involving the use of own familiar ET or ET off-the-shelf, has the potential to compensate for perceived difficulties following an ABI and improve satisfaction with occupational performance in daily life.     

Comparison of two cognitive interventions for adults experiencing executive dysfunction post-stroke: a pilot study

Purpose This pilot partially randomised controlled trial compared the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of two promising interventions for persons with executive dysfunction post-stroke: (1) occupation-based strategy training using an adapted version of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach; and (2) Computer-based EF training (COMPUTER training). Method Participants received 16 h of either CO-OP or COMPUTER training. We assessed feasibility and acceptability of each intervention, and change in intervention outcomes at baseline, post-intervention and one-month follow-up. Performance and satisfaction with performance in self-selected everyday life goals were measured by the participant and the significant other-rated Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Other intervention outcomes included changes in EF impairment, participation in daily life and self-efficacy. Results Six participants received CO-OP and five received COMPUTER training: one in each group discontinued the intervention for medical reasons unrelated to the intervention. The remaining nine participants completed all 16 sessions. Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction with both interventions. Both treatment groups showed large improvements in self and significant other-rated performance and satisfaction with performance on their goals immediately post-intervention and at follow-up (CO-OP: effect sizes (ES)?=?1.6–3.5; COMPUTER: ES?=?0.9–4.0), with statistically significant within-group differences in CO-OP (p < 0.05). The COMPUTER group also showed large improvements in some areas of EF impairment targeted by the computerised tasks (ES?=?0.9–1.6); the CO-OP group demonstrated large improvements in self-efficacy for performing everyday activities (ES?=?1.5). Conclusions Our findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of using both CO-OP and COMPUTER training with patients with executive dysfunction post-stroke.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Computerised executive function training and occupation-based strategy training are feasible to deliver and acceptable to persons with executive dysfunction post-stroke.

• Preliminary evidence suggests that both interventions have a positive impact on real-world outcomes; and, that CO-OP might have a greater impact on improving self-efficacy for performing everyday activities.

     

Retention of motor changes in chronic stroke survivors who were administered mental practice

Page SJ, Murray C, Hermann V, Levine P. Retention of motor changes in chronic stroke survivors who were administered mental practice.

Objective

To determine retention of motor changes 3 months after participation in a regimen consisting of mental practice (MP) combined with repetitive task-specific (RTP) practice.

Design

Prospective, blinded, cohort, pre-post study.

Setting

Outpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Individuals (N=21) in the chronic stage of stroke (mean age ± SD, 66.1±8.1y; age range, 56–76y; mean time since stroke at study enrollment, 58.7mo; range, 13–129mo) exhibiting mild to moderate impairments of hand function.

Interventions

All individuals had been randomly assigned to receive a 10-week regimen consisting of MP emphasizing paretic upper extremity (UE) use during valued activities. Directly after each of these sessions, subjects were administered audiotaped MP. We assessed this group's paretic UE motor levels before, after, and 3 months after intervention.

Main Outcome Measures

The UE section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Impairment (FM), the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT), and the Box and Block Test (BB).

Results

None of the scores significantly changed from the period directly after intervention to the 3-month posttesting period (FM: t=.817; ARAT: t=.923; AMAT: t=.898, t=.818, and t=.967 for the Functional Ability, Quality of Movement, and Time scales, respectively; BB: t=.892).

Conclusions

Changes in paretic UE movement realized through MP combined with RTP (MP + RTP) participation are retained 3 months after the intervention has concluded. This is the first study examining retention of motor changes after MP + RTP participation, and one of only a few studies examining long retention of motor changes after any intervention targeting stroke-induced hemiparesis.     

早期介入镜像疗法对缺血性脑卒中患者偏瘫肢体功能恢复的影响

目的 观察早期介入镜像疗法对缺血性脑卒中后偏瘫患者上、下肢功能恢复的影响。 方法 选取病程小于1个月的36例早期缺血性脑卒中患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为观察组及对照组,2组患者均接受卒中后规范化药物治疗及常规康复训练。观察组在此基础上辅以镜像治疗,每次治疗45min,每周治疗5次,持续治疗3周;对照组则辅以与观察组相同时间、相同强度但无镜像反射面的运动训练。于治疗前、治疗后、出院后随访1个月及2个月时分别采用Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表（FMA）、Wolf运动评价量表（WFMT）、功能性步行量表（FAC）、Brunnstrom分期和改良Ashworth痉挛量表(MAS)对患者偏瘫侧上、下肢运动功能恢复情况进行评定。 结果 经治疗后2组患者肢体运动功能均较治疗前明显改善。与同期对照组比较,观察组经3周治疗及出院后随访1个月、2个月时其上肢FMA评分均明显改善(均P<0.05);与同期对照组比较,观察组出院后随访1个月及2个月时其WMFT评分也明显增高(均P<0.05)。与同期对照组比较,观察组随访2个月时其下肢FMA评分和FAC分级指数均明显进步(均P<0.05)。与同期对照组比较,观察组随访1个月、2个月时其上肢Brunnstrom分期也明显改善(均P<0.05),但下肢Brunnstrom分期与同期对照组间差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。与同期对照组比较,观察组患者经3周治疗后、出院后随访1个月、2个月时其上肢及下肢MAS评级指数均无明显改善(均P>0.05)。 结论 早期介入镜像疗法能明显加速缺血性脑卒中患者偏瘫侧上肢及手功能恢复进程,对患者下肢运动功能及步行能力亦有改善作用,该疗法值得在脑卒中患者中推广、应用。     

低频重复经颅磁刺激联合作业治疗对脑卒中患者上肢运动功能恢复的临床研究

目的:探讨低频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)联合作业治疗对脑卒中恢复期患者上肢功能恢复的影响。方法:将60例脑卒中恢复期患者随机分为治疗组和对照组各30例。对照组接受常规的作业治疗,治疗组在常规作业治疗的同时给予1Hz的rTMS治疗。在治疗前及治疗4周后采用上肢Fugl-Meyer评分(FMA)、偏瘫上肢功能测试-香港版(FTHUE-HK)及改良的Barthel指数(MBI)对患者上肢功能进行评定。结果:治疗4周后,2组的FMA、FTHUE-HK评分和MBI均较治疗前明显提高(均P0.05),且治疗组各项评分均高于对照组(均P0.05)。结论:rTMS联合作业治疗可改善脑卒中恢复期患者上肢运动功能,提高日常生活活动能力。     

早期综合护理干预在脑卒中后抑郁患者中的应用效果（增刊）

目的 探讨早期综合护理干预在脑卒中后抑郁患者中的应用效果。方法 选取2016年5月至2017年6月收治某三级综合医院神经内科的脑卒中抑郁患者92例,随机分为对照组和观察组,每组各46例。对照组采用常规药物治疗,护理及康复训练;观察组在对照组的治疗基础上给予早期综合护理干预。两组患者在干预前后进行汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）评分、Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表（FMA）评分及日常生活活动能力量表Barther指数（BI）评分,比较两组患者的抑郁程度、肢体运动功能及日常生活自理能力的改善效果。结果 干预前两组患者HAMD、FMA、BI评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;干预2周后,HAMD评分观察组低于对照组（P＜0.05）,FMA评分、BI评分观察组均高于对照组（P＜0.05）,差异有统计学意义。结论 早期综合护理干预,可有效改善脑卒中患者的抑郁情绪,促进患者肢体运动功能和生活自理能力的恢复,提高患者生活质量。     

Early versus late‐applied constraint‐induced movement therapy: A multisite,randomized controlled trial with a 12‐month follow‐up

Background and Purpose

A direct comparison between the effects of constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) applied early after stroke and that of CIMT applied in the chronic phase has not been conducted. This study aimed to compare the long‐term effects of CIMT applied 6 months after stroke with the results of CIMT applied within 28 days post‐stroke.

Methods

This study was a single‐blinded, multicentre, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design. Forty‐seven patients received CIMT either early (within 28 days) or 6 months after stroke. Both groups received standard rehabilitation and were tested at 5 time points. The primary outcome measure was Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT); the secondary measures were Nine‐Hole Peg Test (NHPT), the Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the upper extremity, Stroke Impact Scale, and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS).

Results

Compared with baseline data, both groups showed significant improvements in the primary and secondary outcome measures after 12 months. No significant differences between the 2 treatment groups were found before and after the delayed intervention group received CIMT at 6 months and during the 12‐month follow‐up. Both groups recovered considerably and showed only minor impairment (median FMA score of 64) after 6 months. The early intervention group showed an initially faster recovery curve of WMFT, NHPT, and MRS scores.

Discussion

In contrast to most CIMT studies, our study could not find an effect of CIMT applied 6 months after stroke. Our results indicate that commencing CIMT early is as good as delayed intervention in the long term, specifically in this group of patients who might have reached a ceiling effect during the first 6 months after stroke. Nevertheless, the early CIMT intervention group showed a faster recovery curve than the delayed intervention group, which can be a clinically important finding for patients in the acute phase.     

中药湿热敷配合蜡疗在中风患者偏瘫肢体康复中的应用

目的探讨中药湿热敷配合蜡疗在中风病患者偏瘫肢体康复中的应用效果。方法44例中风病(气虚血瘀证)肢体偏瘫患者随机均分为对照组和观察组,各22例。对照组采用常规康复治疗和护理,观察组在对照组基础上实施中药湿热敷配合蜡疗干预。观察2组干预前后偏瘫肢体运动功能、日常生活活动能力以及偏瘫肢体疼痛情况。结果干预后,2组简化Fuel-Meyer运动功能量表(FMA)评分较干预前提高,且观察组评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预后,2组改良的Barthel指数评定量表(MBI)评分较干预前升高,101点数字评分法(NRS-101)评分较干预前降低,且观察组MBI评分高于对照组,NRS-101评分低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论中药湿热敷配合蜡疗应用于中风病患者偏瘫肢体康复中,能有效改善偏瘫肢体运动功能,提高患者日常生活活动能力,减轻患者疼痛程度。     

小组模式作业治疗对伴有情绪障碍脑卒中患者的康复疗效观察

目的 研究小组作业治疗对伴有情绪障碍脑卒中患者的康复疗效。方法 选择72例脑卒中患者,采用随机数字表随机分为小组作业治疗组(研究组)和常规作业治疗组(对照组),于治疗前、治疗4周后分别采用汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)和汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)评测焦虑及抑郁情况;采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)评测认知情况;采用简化Fugl-Meyer量表(FMA)评定运动功能;采用改良Barthel指数量表(MBI)评定日常生活活动能力。结果 治疗4周后,两组患者HAMA、HAMD、MoCA、FMA、MBI评分较治疗前明显改善(P <0.05),且研究组HAMA (10.80±2.39)分、HAMD (15.34±3.96)分、MoCA (24.61±4.72)分、FMA(74.16±8.12)分、MBI (75.6±12.11)分均显著优于对照组HAMA (14.79±3.42)分、HAMD (20.77±3.85)分、MoCA(20.83±4.90)分、FMA(62.34±7.91)分、MBI(64.14±10.71)分,组间差异均具有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论 小组作...     

Robotic therapy for chronic motor impairments after stroke: Follow-up results

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of robotic rehabilitation in persons with chronic motor impairments after stroke and to examine whether improvements in motor abilities were sustained 4 months after the end of therapy. DESIGN: Pretest-posttest design. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital, outpatient care. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteer sample of 42 persons with persistent hemiparesis from a single, unilateral stroke within the past 1 to 5 years. INTERVENTION: Robotic therapy for the paretic upper limb consisted of either sensorimotor active-assistive exercise, or progressive-resistive training during repetitive, planar reaching tasks, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Modified Ashworth Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Motor Status Scale (MSS) score, and Medical Research Council motor power score. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among pretreatment clinical evaluations. Statistically significant gains from admission to discharge and from admission to follow-up (P<.05) were found on the FMA, MSS score for shoulder and elbow, and motor power score. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term, goal-directed robotic therapy can significantly improve motor abilities of the exercised limb segments in persons with chronic stroke that are sustained 4 months after discharge. This suggests that motor recovery can be enhanced by repetitive exercise training more than 1 year after stroke.     

Using everyday technology to compensate for difficulties in task performance in daily life: experiences in persons with acquired brain injury and their significant others

Purpose.?The purpose of this study is to illuminate how persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their significant others experienced individualised occupation-based interventions using commonly available everyday technology (ET) to compensate for perceived difficulties with performance of tasks in daily life.

Method.?Qualitative research interviews were conducted with 10 persons with ABI and with one of their significant others. The data were analysed according to qualitative content analysis.

Results.?The persons with ABI experienced that they mastered their lives in a better way by the compensatory use of ET. They became capable of doing tasks independently and experienced themselves as being a new person. During the intervention process, persons with ABI became aware of the compensatory potential of familiar ET, and they were supported to use effective compensatory strategies and incorporate them into their habits. Their significant others felt a relief in daily life, and their mood was positively affected as they experienced reduced responsibility and need of control.

Conclusions.?This qualitative study has shown that persons with ABI, as well as their significant others, experienced a multitude of benefits from occupation-based interventions using commonly available ET to compensate for their difficulties in the performance of tasks in daily life and that the goals achieved affected their overall contentment with life.     

Combined Aerobic Exercise and Task Practice Improve Health-Related Quality of Life Poststroke: A Preliminary Analysis

Objective

The aim of this project was to determine the effects of lower extremity aerobic exercise coupled with upper extremity repetitive task practice (RTP) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depressive symptomology in individuals with chronic stroke.

Feasibility of a home-based program to improve handwriting after stroke: a pilot study

Purpose: To test the feasibility of a handwriting retraining program with adults after stroke; specifically the feasibility of: (i) recruiting people with stroke to the study, (ii) delivering the handwriting retraining program and (iii) outcome measures of handwriting performance. Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design was used. A four-week, home-based handwriting retraining program was delivered by an occupational therapist using task-specific practice. Legibility, speed, pen control and self-perception of handwriting were measured at baseline and completion of the program. Legibility was scored by a blinded rater. Results: Seven adults with stroke were recruited (eligibility fraction 43% of those screened, and enrolment fraction 78% of those eligible). There were no dropouts. Although, recruitment was slow the intervention was feasible and acceptable to adults with stroke. No statistically or clinically significant changes in legibility were reported in this small sample, but a ceiling effect was evident for some outcome measures. The study was not powered to determine efficacy. Conclusions: Delivery of a four-week handwriting intervention with eight supervised sessions in the community was feasible; however, recruitment of an adequate sample size would require greater investment than the single site used in this pilot.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Handwriting difficulty is common following hemiparesis after stroke, however research addressing handwriting retraining for adults with stroke is lacking.

• A four-week home-based handwriting program using task-specific practice and feedback was feasible to deliver and appropriate for adults with stroke.

• Improving handwriting legibility and neatness across a range of tasks were important goals for adults with handwriting impairment.