http://nnr.sagepub.com/content/27/4/296.abstract?etoc
Abstract
Background. Repetitive facilitative
exercise (RFE), a combination of high repetition rate and
neurofacilitation, is a recently developed
approach to the rehabilitation of stroke-related
limb impairment. Preliminary investigations have been encouraging, but a
randomized controlled evaluation has yet to be
performed. Objectives. To compare the efficacy of RFE with that of conventional rehabilitation in adults with subacute stroke. Methods.
A total of 52 adults with stroke-related upper-limb impairment
(Brunnstrom stage ≥III) of 3 to 13 weeks’ duration participated
in this randomized, controlled, observer-blinded
trial. Participants were randomized into 2 groups and received treatment
on a 4-week, 40 min/d, 5 d/wk schedule. Those
assigned to RFE received 100 standardized movements of at least 5 joints
of
their affected upper extremity, whereas those in
the control group participated in a conventional upper-extremity
rehabilitation
program. Primary and secondary outcomes
(improvement in group Action Research Arm Test [ARAT] and Fugl-Meyer Arm
[FMA] scores,
respectively) were assessed at the end of training.
Results. In all, 49 participants (26 receiving RFE) completed
the trial. ARAT and FMA scores at baseline were 19 ± 21 and 39 ± 21
(mean ± standard deviation). Evaluation at the
trial’s completion revealed significantly larger improvements in the RFE
group
than in the control group in both ARAT (F = 7.52; P = .009) and FMA (F = 5.98; P = .019) scores. Conclusions. These findings suggest that RFE may be more effective than conventional rehabilitation in lessening impairment and improving
upper-limb motor function during the subacute phase of stroke.
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