Attention and hand dexterity are interdependent, with deficits in one often worsening the other. Post-stroke, reduced attention impairs hand dexterity, hindering daily activities, while poor hand function further limits attentional focus. Despite progress in rehabilitation, strategies addressing both remain limited. Purpose: This study explored the impact of incentive-based attention training on hand dexterity in stroke patients.
Forty male patients with hemorrhagic infarction stroke, aged 45-60 years, were randomized into two equal groups. The control group (Group A, n=20) underwent hand dexterity exercises for 60 minutes per session, while the intervention group (Group B, n=20) received a combination of 30 minutes of hand dexterity exercises and 30 minutes of attention training using the Rehacom system. Both groups completed three training sessions per week for eight weeks (24 sessions). Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-training using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Hand Grip Dynamometer, Rehacom system, and Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
40
Standard physical therapy program for stroke patients targeting hand dexterity. Conducted 3 times/week for 8 weeks (60 min/session), exercises included wrist and forearm movements, object manipulation, ball gripping, and putty-based hand strengthening.
Combined intervention: 30 minutes of computerized attention training using the Rehacom system, followed by 30 minutes of standard hand dexterity physical therapy. Conducted 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Rehacom provided task-based cognitive training with visual, auditory, and performance feedback in a controlled lab setting.
Cairo University Faculty of Physical Therapy
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Hand dexterity assessment using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT)
The Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT) is a timed neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate fine motor skills, finger dexterity, and bimanual coordination by measuring how quickly a person can place small pegs into holes using one or both hands.
Time frame: 8 Weeks
Hand grip dynamometer (JAMAR)
The JAMAR hand dynamometer is a reliable and widely used tool for measuring grip strength, featuring a peak-hold needle and adjustable handle settings to accommodate different hand sizes and ensure consistent, accurate readings.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Rehacom system
The Rehacom system is a CE-certified, software-based cognitive rehabilitation tool that personalizes training and assessment in domains like attention, memory, and logic. This study utilizes its attention-concentration module to evaluate the cognitive performance of stroke patients through detailed reaction-time metrics and adaptive difficulty levels.
Time frame: 8 Weeks
The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)( 6 is high 6 , 1 is low)
The MAAS (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) is a 15-item self-report tool that measures an individual's open and receptive awareness of present-moment experiences, with strong psychometric validity and associations with emotional, behavioral, and health outcomes; it can be completed in under 5 minutes, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness and lower scores reflecting more frequent mind-wandering or inattentiveness.
Time frame: 8 Weeks
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