Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different intensities of arm
rehabilitation training on the functional recovery of hemiplegic upper extremity.
DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. INTERVENTIONS:
Thirty-two stroke patients
meeting the enrolment criteria were randomly divided into three groups: group A
(n = 11), group B (n = 10) and group C (n = 11). Each group received arm training
for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours a day respectively, 5 days per week, for a period
of six weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Motor function was assessed by Fugl-Meyer
Assessment, Action Research Arm Test and Barthel Index, carried out before
treatment, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after treatment. RESULTS: When
comparing the three groups, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment improvement was more
significant in group C (20.50 +/- 7.84) than that in group A (11.90 +/- 6.52 )
and group B (13.80 +/- 6.41) after four weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). The Action
Research Arm Test score improvement was more significant in group C (7.30 +/-
2.95) than in group A (3.30 +/- 2.91 ) (P < 0.05). After six weeks of treatment,
the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Action Research Arm Test score improvements were
more significant in group C (24.50 +/- 7.96, 10.90 +/- 3.60) and group B (19.70
+/- 7.09, 8.70 +/- 4.62) than in group A (13.00 +/- 6.38, 5.30 +/- 3.40) (P <
0.05). There were no significant differences of Barthel Index among the three
groups (P > 0.05). In each group, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Action Research Arm Test
and Barthel Index scores increased significantly after six weeks of treatment (P
< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the intensity of arm training might improve
the motor function of the arm after stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS