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Effects of Training Rhythmic and Discrete Aiming Movements on Arm Control and Functionality After Stroke

Not Applicable
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Other: Conventional Physical Therapy
Other: Discrete movement training group
Other: Rhythmic movement training group
Registration Number
NCT02765152
Lead Sponsor
Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to verify the additional effects of rhythmic specific training, discrete specific training additional to conventional therapy on the upper limb after chronic stroke subjects on the outcomes: motor control and functionality.

Detailed Description

Seventy-five patients will be randomized into three groups to receive conventional therapy, consisting of a combination of mobility exercises joint, muscle stretching, strength training, motor coordination exercises, unilateral and bilateral motor tasks as well as oriented tasks training upper limb with a focus on functional tasks. The other groups will receive additional intervention consisting of aiming movement practice according two different protocols: discrete movements to targets placed in different directions and distances; and rhythmic movements also to targets placed in different directions and distances. Both additional interventional interventions will be conducted for 30 minutes over a 5 week-period (total: 10 sessions).

Clinical outcomes (motor control), functional and kinematic will be collected at baseline and at five weeks. Functional results will be collected at the beginning, after 5 weeks and 3 months after randomization. Data will be collected by a blinded assessor on patients' allocation group. All statistical analyzes will be carried out following the principles of intention to treat analysis and differences between groups will be performed using linear mixed models.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
75
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Conventional Physical TherapyConventional Physical TherapyUsual therapy: joint mobility exercises, stimulating joint movement of the main active components of the upper limb; major muscle groups stretching, especially in the affected muscles by tone impairment; manual resistance training according to the degree of the patient's muscle strength, prioritizing the functional specificity of the upper limb, so the majority of the exercises will be held in open chain; motor coordination exercises, unilateral and bilateral motor tasks as well as task-oriented training of the upper limb with a focus on functional tasks.
discrete movement training groupDiscrete movement training groupAiming movements training with the affected upper limb (unilateral training) or both limbs (bilateral training) on the surface of a table. The starting point of the movement and its target are predetermined. Targets will be placed in different directions and distances from the starting point and the therapist ask for variations on speed and assistance, if necessary.
rhythmic movement training groupRhythmic movement training groupAiming movements training with the affected upper limb (unilateral training) or both limbs (bilateral training) on the surface of a table. The movement begins in a predetermined starting point, directed to a target and returns to the starting point. This activity is performed several times with rhythmic movements. Targets will be placed in different directions and distances from the starting point and the therapist ask for variations on speed and assistance, if necessary.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)Five weeks after randomization and 3 months after randomization

Functionality: questionnaire which evaluates functionality. In this study will be evaluated four areas (arm muscle strength, hand function, activities of daily living and social participation)(Duncan et al., 1999). Each domain is scored from 1 to 5 (1 point corresponds to the worst possible outcome and 5 points to the best result). For the four areas the lowest possible score is 28 points and the highest is 125 points.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Fugl-Meyer Assessment ScaleFive weeks after randomization

Motor control: this scale assesses sensorimotor function of upper limb, with score 0-66 points with scores 0-66 points for motor function and 0-126 points for sensory-motor function (Fugl-Meyer, 1975). A higher score is better motor function.

Motor Activity Log (MAL)Five weeks and 3 months after randomization

Arm function: individuals are asked to rate Quality of Movement (QOM) and Amount of Movement (AOM) during 30 daily functional tasks (original MAL) (Uswatte et al., 2005).

Items scored on a 6-point ordinal scale, where 0 corresponds to the weaker arm was not sued at all for that activity (never). Patients with a score 5 show the ability to use the weaker arm for that activity was as good as before the stroke (normal).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo

🇧🇷

Sao Paulo, Brazil

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