The Effect of Additional Arm Therapy on Arm Function After Stroke

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Stroke
• Interventions: Behavioral: Education manual; Behavioral: An inpatient homework based exercise program for the upper limb post stroke

• Registration Number: NCT00359255
• Lead Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Brief Summary

This study would focus on a new method of adding extra arm exercise to the usual therapy delivered in the hospital. We propose to design an exercise program for the affected arm and hand that would be given to the client as homework and done in the client's hospital room. The program would be designed and monitored by a therapist that works in the hospital.

We believe that this program will: 1) increase arm and hand recovery over usual care received in the hospital, 2) help people make the move from therapist run exercise to self management of exercise, and 3) promote family involvement in therapy.

Detailed Description

In total 250 participants admitted for stroke rehabilitation at 4 BC sites will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The extra arm and hand exercise program (experimental group) will receive usual therapy plus 60 minutes per day of additional arm exercises. This program will last for 4 weeks while the participant is in the hospital. The arm and hand program will include muscle strengthening and stretching, repetitive reaching, folding, stacking, pushing and pulling tasks, picking up objects, and activities that use speed and accuracy. The family will be encouraged to participate in the program with the participant. The control group will receive usual therapy only.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2006-07
• Study First Submitted: 2006-07-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-07-28
• Study First Posted: 2006-08-01
• Primary Completion: 2008-12
• Study Completion: 2008-12
• Status Verified: 2017-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-05-08
• Last Update Posted: 2017-05-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

1. 19 years of age or older
2. arm recovery as a rehabilitation goal
3. have palpatable movement of wrist extension
4. able to follow 3 step verabal commands

Exclusion Criteria

1. unstable cardiovascular status (congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, or left ventricular failure),
2. significant musculo-skeletal problems (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease) due to conditions other than stroke,
3. receptive aphasia

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1	Education manual	-
2	An inpatient homework based exercise program for the upper limb post stroke	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The primary outcome is the ability to use the paretic arm in activities of daily living. This outcome will be measured pre and post program.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Secondary outcomes include amount of use and quality of movement of the paretic arm, motor recovery, strength, tone, and health related quality of life. Each of these measures will be evaluated pre and post program.

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Kelowna General Hospital; 🇨🇦 Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

GF Strong Rehab Center; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria General Hospital; 🇨🇦 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Holy Family Hospital; 🇨🇦 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada