Effects of Accelerated Skill Acquisition Programme With Segmental Vibration on Upper Limb in Stroke.

Summary

Stroke is a major health burden and the leading cause of serious long-term disability around the world. One of the most cumbersome deficits after a unilateral stroke is impairment in the contralateral upper limb. Segmental vibration is an intervention that incorporates sensory stimulation to improve motor cortical excitability. This study aims to investigate the influence of a 15-minute SMV application along with accelerated skill acquisition programme (ASAP) on spasticity, motor function, manual dexterity, and somatosensory function of the Upper Limb in Subacute stroke.

This study will be a randomized clinical trial conducted in the physiotherapy department of DHQ Hospital Gujranwala, Gondal Hospital, and Dayan Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation over 10 months. Using the Online Randomizer tool, 60 stroke patients will be recruited through a non-probability convenience sampling technique and randomly divided into two equal groups, Group A and Group B. Group A will receive ASAP with high-frequency segmental vibration(100Hz) on the extensor muscles while Group B, will receive accelerated skill acquisition programme (ASAP) with only. The Assessment tools are the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (for upper limb function), Wolf Motor Functional Test(for motor function), Modified Ashworth Scale(for spasticity), Maximal Hand Grip Strength(for manual dexterity), Nottingham Sensory Assessment(for somatosensory function). Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline,4th week,8th week, and 12th week. Follow-up will be performed in the 16th week. Data analysis will be done by SPSS version 28.0. Two-way Mixed ANOVA, repeated measure ANOVA, and one-way ANOVA will be used in case of normal distribution of data. The Friedman, Kruskal Wallis, and Wilcoxon sign rank tests will be used for non-normal data.

Conditions

• Subacute Stroke

Interventions

OTHER

Group A (High-frequency segmental vibration and ASAP with Routine Physical Therapy)

A Segmental vibration device was used to provide vibratory stimulation with a frequency of 100 Hz and an amplitude of 1.0 mm. This stimulation was used because vibratory stimulation with a high frequency (80-120 Hz) and low amplitude can elicit strong activity in Ia afferents from the muscle spindles. 100 Hz frequency vibration was applied perpendicularly along the muscle fibers of the forearm extensor muscle (extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), triceps). The Accelerated Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP), a structured, taskoriented motor training program for the upper extremities, is a best-practice synthesis implementing neuroscientific evidence regarding motor training approaches and schedules. The Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program (ASAP) for subacute stroke patients focuses on integrating motor training with motivational enhancement and impairment mitigation.

OTHER

Group B (Accelerated Skill Acquisition Programme with Routine Physical Therapy)

Exercises within the ASAP typically include: Task-Specific Training: Patients engage in activities that mimic daily tasks, such as reaching, grasping, and manipulating objects, to improve their functional abilities Repetitive Practice: Patients perform repetitive movements to strengthen neural pathways and improve motor skills. This can involve tasks like buttoning a shirt, picking up small objects, or pouring water Bilateral Arm Training: This approach involves using both arms simultaneously to perform coordinated tasks, enhancing bimanual skills and improving upper extremity functions Motivational Strategies: The program incorporates motivational techniques to enhance patient engagement and adherence to the exercises, ensuring sustained practice and better outcomes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Aruba Saeed, PhD · Riphah International University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-20

Primary Completion

2025-07-30

Completion

2025-07-30

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations