Implicit Versus Explicit Motor Training for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Patients

Summary

Training methods that improve proprioception of the shoulder joint involve specific tasks targeting joint position sense, kinesthesia, or sense of force. These exercises can involve explicit or implicit motor learning. Explicit learning involves verbal knowledge of movement performance, while implicit learning involves minimal verbal knowledge and learning in a less conscious manner. The purpose of the study is to identify the efficacy and difference between implicit and explicit motor training in improving upper extremity functions in chronic stroke patients. The study will use laser pointer pattern tracking exercises and precise repositioning tasks for explicit motor training and a cognitive-motor dual-task training for implicit motor training. The laser-pointer assisted angle reproduction test, Wolf Motor Function Test and Arm Motor Ability Test will be used for evaluation.

Conditions

• CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Interventions

OTHER

Implicit motor training program

The implicit motor training aims to create a learning situation in which the learner is not (or minimally) aware of the underlying rules of the practiced motor skill. Cognitive-motor dual-task training will be used, which involves practicing hand-reaching and grasping in different locations in space while performing cognitive tasks associated with attention, memory, and executive function. The cognitive tasks include naming words, counting backwards, counting tones, counting days and months backwards, listening to a number and counting backwards by twos and threes, telling daily stories, spelling words backward, continuous subtraction of 7 from 100, and the Stroop task. The training will be tailored to the participant's abilities.

OTHER

Explicit motor training program

The explicit motor training aims to create a learning situation in which the learner is very aware of the learning process by providing detailed explicit instructions on each exercise. The Motion Guidance Shoulder Kit will be used for this intervention, which involves four exercises: "Around the clock" in flexion and abduction, "Locate the Target" in active range of motion, "Butterfly" in tracing small and large butterfly patterns, and "Test your positional awareness" in locating circles with eyes open and closed. The kit involves a strap around the forearm with a laser to guide the movement of the arm during the exercises.

OTHER

Selected physical therapy program

The selected physical therapy program, which includes shoulder joint mobilization, graduated active exercises for shoulder muscles, hand weight bearing exercises, Approximation of the upper limb joints. While, the conventional physical therapy program for the lower extremity which includes gait training, strengthening exercises and balance training .

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ahmed Anwar

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-06-10

Primary Completion

2024-03-25

Completion

2024-03-25

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations