People with stroke often experience limitations in motor functions and activity participation. Occupation-based bilateral upper limb training (OBBT) using occupations as meaningful daily activities, and as part of the therapy. The activities in OBBT are tailored to the patient's life with the goal of boosting motivation and engagement to enhance activity performance and participation. This study is a randomized control trial that aims to explore the effect of OBBT along with the conventional therapy in comparison with the conventional therapy alone on motor functions and activity participation among stroke survivors in inpatient rehabilitation setting. This study will be conducted in Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. Participants will be allocated randomly to either the OBBT group or the conventional therapy group. Participants in the OBBT group will receive 30 minutes OBBT program in addition to conventional therapy (90 minutes). Intervention sessions will be conducted 5 times per week over 6 weeks. The participants in the conventional therapy group will receive only the conventional therapy (90 minute). All participants will be assessed using the outcome measure immediately the day after completing the last intervention session at 4th week and 6th week.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
150
Intervention sessions for experimental group will be conducted 5 times per week over 6 weeks. OBBT will be used to engage both upper limbs simultaneously in simulate real-life functional tasks which tailored to individual needs, focusing on improving the patient's ability to perform daily activities such as dressing, washing, and cooking. The training will emphasize occupation-specific repetitive practice for at least two selected occupations and encouraged active participation of both hands during functional tasks to improve use of both upper limb motor functions and activity participation. Additionally, it will seek to support stroke survivors in their pursuit of an independent, productive, and functional recover.
Conventional therapy includes passive and active range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, basic functional activities and mobility training, and activities designed to improve muscle tone and mobility in the affected upper limb among stroke survivors. The conventional therapy sessions will be delivered 5 times per week for 90 minutes over 6 weeks. Therapy sessions will be individualized to the participant's needs and will be provided by senior occupational therapists.
Hamad Medical Corporation\ Qatar Rehabilitation Institute
Doha, Qatar
Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA)
More than 80% of studies use the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, making it the most popular outcome measure for evaluating upper limb motor function recovery after stroke. The assessment consists18 items for the shoulder, elbow, 5 items for the wrist, 7 items for the hand and fingers, and 3 items for upper extremity coordination. The total Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) motor function score for the upper extremity is 66, with higher scores indicating greater motor performance.
Time frame: At baseline, immediately post 4th weeks, and 6th week of the intervention.
Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)
To examine the motor function for the paretic side. Action Research Arm Test consists 19 items distributed into 4 subscales of grasp, grip, pinch and gross movement. The total score on the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) is 57, with higher scores indicating better motor performance.
Time frame: It will be conducted at baseline, immediately post 4th weeks, and 6th week of the intervention.
Functional independence measure (FIM)
Functional Independent Measure (FIM) will be used to evaluate functional independence in activities such as self-care, sphincter control, transfer, locomotion, communication, and social cognition. It includes 18 items total, with a maximum score of 7 and a minimum score of 1, for a total score of 126. Higher score means more independent.
Time frame: At baseline, immediately post 4th weeks, and 6th week of the intervention.
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)
Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) will be used to detect the progress in stroke recovery. It includes 64 items into 8 parts including, strength, Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, mobility, hand function, memory and communication, emotion and participant. The Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) is a continuous measure ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates no recovery and 100 indicates full recovery. Higher scores reflect greater perceived recovery.
Time frame: At baseline, immediately post 4th weeks, and 6th week of the intervention.
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) will be used to measure occupational performance ability. It includes a four stage, semi-constructive meeting session, participants will be asked to consider their goals, needs, and expectations for their daily lives. Performance and satisfaction with the chosen activity will then be measured on a 10 point scale with higher score means a greater performance and satisfaction. In this study participant's choice of occupation-based activities and improvement in their performance and satisfaction, before and after the intervention, will be assessed using COPM.
Time frame: At baseline, immediately post 4th weeks, and 6th week of the intervention.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.