A Community-Based Upper-Extremity Group Exercise Program Improves Motor Function and Performance of Functional Activities in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Notice the same benefits as CIMT. Also notice the extreme incompetency of your stroke hospital doing nothing with this for 13 years. 

A Community-Based Upper-Extremity Group Exercise Program Improves Motor Function and Performance of Functional Activities in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume 87, Issue 1, January 2006, Pages 1-9

Author links open overlay panelMarco Y.PangPhDJocelyn E.HarrisMScJanice J.EngPhD

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2005.08.113Get rights and content

Abstract

Pang MY, Harris JE, Eng JJ. A community-based upper-extremity group exercise program improves motor function and performance of functional activities in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To assess the effects of a community-based exercise program on motor recovery and functional abilities of the paretic upper extremity in persons with chronic stroke.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Rehabilitation research laboratory and a community hall.

Participants

A sample of 63 people (≥50y) with chronic deficits resulting from stroke (onset ≥1y).

Interventions

The arm group underwent an exercise program designed to improve upper-extremity function (1h/session, 3 sessions/wk for 19wk). The leg group underwent a lower-extremity exercise program.

Main Outcome Measures

The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), hand-held dynamometry (grip strength), and the Motor Activity Log.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed a significant group by time interaction (Wilks λ=.726, P=.017), indicating that overall, the arm group had significantly more improvement than the leg group. Post hoc analysis demonstrated that gains in WMFT (functional ability) (P=.001) and FMA (P=.001) scores were significantly higher in the arm group. The amount of improvement was comparable to other novel treatment approaches such as constraint-induced movement therapy or robot-aided exercise training previously reported in chronic stroke. Participants with moderate arm impairment benefited more from the program.

Conclusions

The pilot study showed that a community-based exercise program can improve upper-extremity function in persons with chronic stroke. This outcome justifies a larger clinical trial to further assess efficacy and cost effectiveness.