Feasibility and efficacy of an early sensory-motor rehabilitation program on hand function in patients with stroke: a pilot, single-subject experimental design

Hand and upper limb functional impairments following stroke lead to limitations in performing activities of daily living. We aimed to investigate feasibility and efficacy of an early sensory-motor rehabilitation program on hand and upper limb function in patients with acute stroke.

A pilot, single-subject experimental, A-B-A study.

Stroke unit of an educational hospital and an outpatient occupational therapy clinic.

A convenience sample including five people with acute stroke.

Participants received 3 h of an intensive hand and upper limb sensory and motor rehabilitation program, 5 days per week for 3 months (15-min mental imagery, 15-min action observation, 30-min mirror therapy, 1.5-h constraint-induced movement therapy, and 30-min bilateral arm training). Activities were chosen based on the task-oriented occupational therapy approach.

An assessor blinded to intervention program measured sensory and motor functions using action research arm test, box and block test, Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments, and upper extremity section of Fugl-Meyer assessment.

Assessment data points in intervention and follow-up phases compared to baseline were in higher levels, sloped upwardly, and increased significantly for all participants in all outcome measures.

The present pilot study showed that a package of nowadays evidence-based rehabilitation methods including mental imagery, action observation, mirror therapy, modified constraint-induced movement therapy, bilateral arm training, and task-oriented occupational therapy approach is able to improve sensory and motor functions of the hand and upper limb in patients with acute stroke.