Comparative Efficacy Research of Uni- vs Bi-lateral Arm Training Poststroke

Summary

This proposed project aims to

* compare the effects of dose-matched unilateral vs bilateral vs unilateral combined with bilateral upper limb rehabilitation based on task-related practice
* compare the effects of unilateral vs bilateral training based on robot-assisted devices
* study the predictors of treatment outcomes and clinimetric properties of the biomechanical measures

Conditions

• Cerebrovascular Accident

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Task-related unilateral arm training

The training tasks will involve daily activities with unilateral proximal or distal upper extremity movements for 5 days/week for 1.5 hours/day for 4 consecutive weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Task-related bilateral arm training

This intervention emphasizes UE movements (gross or fine motor tasks) involved in daily activities but focus on both UEs moving synchronously. The duration and intensity of treatment will also be 5 days/week for 1.5 hours/day for 4 consecutive weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Robot-assisted bilateral arm training

The Bi-Manu-Track used in this project (Reha-Stim Co., Berlin, Germany) enables the symmetric practice of 2 movement patterns: forearm pronation-supination and wrist flexion-extension. Each movement has 3 computer-controlled modes: (1) passive-passive, with both arms being moved by the machine with speed, range of motion, and resistance individually adjustable; (2) active-passive, with the unaffected arm driving the affected arm in a mirror-like fashion; and (3) active-active, with both arms actively moving against resistance.

BEHAVIORAL

Robot-assisted unilateral arm training

The robot-assisted unilateral arm training group will use mode 1 and 3: (1) passive, affected arm being moved by the machine with speed and range of motion individually adjustable; and (2) active, with the affected arm actively moving. This training program will add an additional mode: active-resistance, with the affected arm/wrist actively moving against resistance.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan

  collaborator OTHER

• Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ching-yi Wu, ScD · Chang Gung University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-01-31

Primary Completion

2015-04-30

Completion

2015-04-30

Countries

• Taiwan

Study Locations