Effects of intensity of arm training on hemiplegic upper extremity motor recovery in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Clinical rehabilitation Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 75 - 81
• Main Authors: Han, Chao, Wang, Qiang, Meng, Ping-ping, Qi, Ming-zhu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2013; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Action research; Activities of daily living; Adult; Arm; Assessment; Barthel Index; Clinical trials; Drug dosages; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Hemiplegia - etiology; Hemiplegia - rehabilitation; Humans; Male; Medical schools; Middle Aged; Randomized controlled trials; Recovery of Function; Rehabilitation; Stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke Rehabilitation; Strokes; Test scores; China; intensity training; Stroke; hemiplegia; upper extremity
• ISSN: 0269-2155; 1477-0873
• DOI: 10.1177/0269215512447223

Objective: To investigate the effects of different intensities of arm rehabilitation training on the functional recovery of hemiplegic upper extremity. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Interventions: Thirty-two stroke patients meeting the enrolment criteria were randomly divided into three groups: group A (n = 11), group B (n = 10) and group C (n = 11). Each group received arm training for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours a day respectively, 5 days per week, for a period of six weeks. Main measures: Motor function was assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Barthel Index, carried out before treatment, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after treatment. Results: When comparing the three groups, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment improvement was more significant in group C (20.50 ± 7.84) than that in group A (11.90 ± 6.52 ) and group B (13.80 ± 6.41) after four weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The Action Research Arm Test score improvement was more significant in group C (7.30 ± 2.95) than in group A (3.30 ± 2.91 ) (P < 0.05). After six weeks of treatment, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Action Research Arm Test score improvements were more significant in group C (24.50 ± 7.96, 10.90 ± 3.60) and group B (19.70 ± 7.09, 8.70 ± 4.62) than in group A (13.00 ± 6.38, 5.30 ± 3.40) (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences of Barthel Index among the three groups (P > 0.05). In each group, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Barthel Index scores increased significantly after six weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: An increase in the intensity of arm training might improve the motor function of the arm after stroke.