Investigation of the Effects of Task-Oriented Circuit Training on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients

Investigation of the Effects of Task-Oriented Circuit Training on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients

Stroke is a disease characterized by symptoms such as weakness on one side of the body, speech impairment or inability to understand spoken language, vision problems, and loss of balance, walking, and coordination, resulting from a disruption in cerebral circulation that prevents oxygenation and nourishment of brain tissue. Currently, treatment approaches that adopt motor learning principles after stroke are fundamentally based on motor learning, neural plasticity, biomechanics, and the systems model of motor control. Task-Oriented Training (TOT), one of these treatment approaches, is used in the physiotherapy process for neurological diseases, and there is significant clinical evidence regarding the benefits of TOT. While the effects of TOT in physiotherapy have been primarily studied on balance and walking, there are a limited number of studies examining its effects on upper extremity function. Task-Oriented Circuit Training (TOCT) is a task-oriented training program consisting of 15 exercise stations where task-oriented training is applied in the form of exercise stations. TOCT improved upper extremity skills in Parkinson's patients. However, no study examines its effects on stroke. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of TOCT on upper extremity motor functions and dual-task performance in stroke patients.

This study is a randomized controlled study. The patients will be randomly divided into two groups exercise and control. Both groups will receive standard physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises aimed at improving balance, gait, mobility, and upper extremity function, as well as standard occupational therapy exercises for the upper extremities. Additionally, the TOCT group will receive 18 one-on-one TOCT training sessions, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. TOCT will be formed from daily life activities such as reaching out, grasping, writing, and manual skills, which are frequently used in daily life. As the outcome measures, disease severity, disability, and manual dexterity will be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having received a stroke diagnosis for the first time
• Having received a stroke diagnosis at least 1 month ago
• Being between 18-65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having the following degree of active joint movement in the wrist and fingers (These conditions are necessary for patients to have the minimum hand dexterity to perform TOCT exercises)
• At least 20° extension starting from full flexion in the wrist
• At least 10° extension or abduction in the thumb
• At least 10° extension in the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the other fingers