The Effect of Additional Arm Therapy on Arm Function After Stroke

The Effect of a Supplementary Exercise Program for Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Rehabilitation

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.

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.

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