Bilateral training for upper extremity hemiparesis in stroke.

摘要

This study compared the benefits of bilateral upper extremity training to unilateral training in measures of function and impairment of the proximal and distal arm in individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. The proximal upper extremity includes the shoulder and elbow, and the distal extremity includes the wrist and hand. The Motor Assessment Scale-Upper Limb Items (MAS-Upper Limb Items) and the Motor Status Scale (MSS) were used to measure both function and impairment. Both scales have separate subscales for proximal and distal movement. We also used the Reaching Performance Scale (RPS), an instrument measuring the quality and efficiency of reaching. Strength of selected upper extremity muscle groups was measured by a Chatillon dynamometer. The stated hypothesis was that there would be improvements in proximal upper extremity function of both training groups; however the bilateral training group improvements were expected to be greater.;This is the first study to compare bilateral and unilateral training using comparable treatment techniques for individuals with moderate upper extremity hemiparesis. Results of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) were in agreement with our first hypothesis. Results from the MSS and Reaching Performance Scale did not confirm our hypothesis as both groups improved equally on these measures. We conclude that bilateral training is slightly more efficacious than unilateral training for post-stroke hemiparesis.