Complex skill training transfers to improved performance and control of simpler tasks after stroke

Has to be cherry picked participants, none with spasticity would be able to accomplish this.  Nothing here addresses 30% of survivors having spasticity. Lazy researchers once again, not tackling the hard cases of stroke.
http://search.naric.com/research/rehab/redesign_record.cfm?search=2&type=all&criteria=J76657&phrase=no&rec=134543&article_source=Rehab&international=0&international_language=&international_location=
Physical Therapy , Volume 97(7) , Pgs. 718-728.

NARIC Accession Number: J76657.  What's this?
ISSN: 0031-9023.
Author(s): Kantak, Shailesh S.; Zahedi, Nazaneen; McGrath, Robert.
Publication Year: 2017.
Number of Pages: 11.
Abstract: Study investigated whether learning a complex motor skill with the paretic arm would transfer to a simpler unpracticed motor skill (goal-directed planar reaching) in individuals with stroke. Fifteen participants with mild-to-moderate stroke practiced a complex motor skill using their paretic arm for 2 consecutive days. The complex skill (practiced task) required participants to control their paretic shoulder and elbow movements to navigate their weaker hand through a complex track with optimal speed and accuracy. Complex skill learning was quantified using change in the speed-accuracy trade-off from baseline to 1 day and 1 month post-practice. To determine transfer to a simpler task, the change in goal-directed planar reaching (transfer task) performance and kinematics from 2 baselines to 1 day, and to 1 month post-practice were assessed. Nine additional participants with stroke served as the test-alone group who only participated in the transfer tests to rule out the effects of repeated testing. Results indicated that practice improved the speed-accuracy trade-off for the practiced complex skill that was retained over a period of 1 month. Importantly, complex skill practice, but not repeated testing alone, improved the long-term performance and kinematics of the unpracticed simpler goal-directed planar reaching task. Improvements in the unpracticed transfer task (reaching) strongly correlated with improvements in the practiced complex motor skill.
Descriptor Terms: BIOENGINEERING, BODY MOVEMENT, LEARNING, LIMBS, MOTOR SKILLS, PHYSICAL THERAPY, STROKE.


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Citation: Kantak, Shailesh S., Zahedi, Nazaneen, McGrath, Robert. (2017). Complex skill training transfers to improved performance and control of simpler tasks after stroke.  Physical Therapy , 97(7), Pgs. 718-728. Retrieved 10/11/2017, from REHABDATA database.