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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00359255

The Effect of Additional Arm Therapy on Arm Function After Stroke

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Stroke Behavior Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Motor Activity Nervous System Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

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About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 19 years of age or older
  • arm recovery as a rehabilitation goal
  • have palpatable movement of wrist extension
  • able to follow 3 step verabal commands

Exclusion criteria

  • unstable cardiovascular status (congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, or left ventricular failure),
  • significant musculo-skeletal problems (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease) due to conditions other than stroke,
  • receptive aphasia

Treatment and study plan

Education manual

Behavioral

The control arm was given education on stroke, the affected arm post strooke, bone health, and healthy living. This information was given in a booklet format and administered once weekly by the site coordinator.

An inpatient homework based exercise program for the upper limb post stroke

Behavioral

The experimental arm was given arm exercises graded based on motor impairment and administered by the site coordinator. The exercises were given in a booklet with written and photographic instructions. These exercises were monitored on a twice-weekly basis.

The intervention was to be completed once daily for 45 minutes, 5 days per week, and supervised by the site coordinator. Exercises consisted of range of motion, strengthening, and use of the arm in daily activites such as buttoning, pouring and throwing.

Primary outcomes

  1. The primary outcome is the ability to use the paretic arm in activities of daily living. This outcome will be measured pre and post program.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Secondary outcomes include amount of use and quality of movement of the paretic arm, motor recovery, strength, tone, and health related quality of life. Each of these measures will be evaluated pre and post program.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Collaborators

  • Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2006
Primary completion
2008
Study completion
2008
First posted
Aug 1, 2006
Registry last updated
May 10, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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