Safety Study of Thermal Stimulation on Upper Extremity Motor Recovery to Stroke

The study was an assessor-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants with UE impairment for more than 3 months poststroke were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EXP) group or the control group. All participants received regular conventional rehabilitation programs. The EXP group received an additional UE-TS protocol for 30 minutes a day (3 days/week for 8 weeks); the control group received the same TS protocol over the lower extremity (LE). The Brunnstrom's recovery stage, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and the Barthel Index (BI) were outcome measures and were administered at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks post inception, and at one-month follow-up.

Inclusion criteria

• first-ever stroke survivors with unilateral hemispheric lesions from a hemorrhagic or nonhemorrhagic stroke;
• stroke onset more than 3 months and less than 3 years prior to study enrollment;
• no severe cognitive impairments and able to follow instructions;
• the ability to sit on a chair for more than 30 minutes independently.

Exclusion criteria

• musculoskeletal or cardiac disorders that could potentially interfere with experimental tests;
• diabetic history or sensory impairment attributable to peripheral vascular disease or neuropathy;
• speech disorder or global aphasia;
• participating in any experimental rehabilitation or drug studies;
• skin injuries, burns, or fresh scars at the sites of stimulation;
• contraindication of heat or ice application.