Abstract
Background.
Bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC) improves
hemiparetic upper extremity (UE) function in stroke. It is unknown
whether a similar exercise for the hemiparetic lower extremity (LE) is
effective.
Objective.
The authors sought to test whether the
BATRAC strategy would transfer to the legs by improving LE motor
function following ten 30-minute sessions of bilateral leg training with
rhythmic auditory cueing (BLETRAC).
Methods. Twenty-four chronic
stroke participants, recruited from the community, were randomized to
either the BLETRAC or the BATRAC intervention. Assessments were
performed before (week 0) and after (week 6) training as well as 3
months later (week 18). Change in the Fugl-Meyer LE and UE subscales
served as primary outcomes. Timed 10-m walk, movement parameters during
treadmill walking, and a repetitive aiming task for both feet and hands
were the secondary outcomes.
Results.
Following an
intention-to-treat approach, data from 21 subjects were analyzed. After
training, improvements in the Fugl-Meyer LE and UE subscales tended to
be better for the corresponding intervention group. The BLETRAC group
also showed increases in step length during treadmill walking and
performance in the repetitive foot and hand aiming tasks. No differences
between the intervention groups were found at follow-up.
Conclusions.
This exploratory trial demonstrates that transfer of the BATRAC
approach to the legs is feasible. Transient improvements of limb motor
function in chronic stroke participants were induced by targeted
exercise (BATRAC for the UE and BLETRAC for the LE). It may be that
further periods of training would increase and maintain effects.
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