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Efficacy and feasibility of SENSory relearning of the UPPer limb (SENSUPP) in people with chronic stroke : A pilot randomized controlled trial

Carlsson, Håkan LU ; Rosén, Birgitta LU ; Björkman, Anders LU ; Pessah-Rasmussen, Hélène LU and Brogårdh, Christina LU (2022) In PM and R 14(12). p.1461-1473
Abstract

Background: Sensorimotor impairments of the upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, but there is a lack of evidence-based interventions to improve functioning of UL. Objective: To evaluate (1) the efficacy of sensory relearning and task-specific training compared to task-specific training only, and (2) the feasibility of the training in chronic stroke. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital outpatient clinic. Participants: Twenty-seven participants (median age; 62 years, 20 men) were randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 15) or to a control group (CG; n = 12). Intervention: Both groups received training twice weekly in 2.5-hour sessions for 5 weeks. The training in the IG consisted of sensory... (More)

Background: Sensorimotor impairments of the upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, but there is a lack of evidence-based interventions to improve functioning of UL. Objective: To evaluate (1) the efficacy of sensory relearning and task-specific training compared to task-specific training only, and (2) the feasibility of the training in chronic stroke. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital outpatient clinic. Participants: Twenty-seven participants (median age; 62 years, 20 men) were randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 15) or to a control group (CG; n = 12). Intervention: Both groups received training twice weekly in 2.5-hour sessions for 5 weeks. The training in the IG consisted of sensory relearning, task-specific training, and home training. The training in the CG consisted of task-specific training. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was sensory function (touch thresholds, touch discrimination, light touch, and proprioception). Secondary outcomes were dexterity, ability to use the hand in daily activities, and perceived participation. A blinded assessor conducted the assessments at baseline (T1), post intervention (T2), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Nonparametric analyses and effect-size calculations (r) were performed. Feasibility was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: After the training, only touch thresholds improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p =.007, r = 0.61) in the IG compared to the CG. Within the IG, significant improvements were found from T1 to T2 regarding use of the hand in daily activities (p =.001, r = 0.96) and movement quality (p =.004, r = 0.85) and from T1 to T3 regarding satisfaction with performance in meaningful activities (p =.004, r = 0.94). The CG significantly improved the performance of using the hand in meaningful activities from T1 to T2 (p =.017, r = 0.86). The training was well tolerated by the participants and performed without any adverse events. Conclusions: Combined sensory relearning and task-specific training may be a promising and feasible intervention to improve UL sensorimotor function after stroke.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
PM and R
volume
14
issue
12
pages
1461 - 1473
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • pmid:35049134
  • scopus:85125914210
ISSN
1934-1482
DOI
10.1002/pmrj.12767
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ee71a83c-2c19-4ad7-8acd-04747ac24339
date added to LUP
2022-04-21 14:04:45
date last changed
2024-07-31 05:31:47
@article{ee71a83c-2c19-4ad7-8acd-04747ac24339,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Sensorimotor impairments of the upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, but there is a lack of evidence-based interventions to improve functioning of UL. Objective: To evaluate (1) the efficacy of sensory relearning and task-specific training compared to task-specific training only, and (2) the feasibility of the training in chronic stroke. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital outpatient clinic. Participants: Twenty-seven participants (median age; 62 years, 20 men) were randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 15) or to a control group (CG; n = 12). Intervention: Both groups received training twice weekly in 2.5-hour sessions for 5 weeks. The training in the IG consisted of sensory relearning, task-specific training, and home training. The training in the CG consisted of task-specific training. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was sensory function (touch thresholds, touch discrimination, light touch, and proprioception). Secondary outcomes were dexterity, ability to use the hand in daily activities, and perceived participation. A blinded assessor conducted the assessments at baseline (T1), post intervention (T2), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Nonparametric analyses and effect-size calculations (r) were performed. Feasibility was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results: After the training, only touch thresholds improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p =.007, r = 0.61) in the IG compared to the CG. Within the IG, significant improvements were found from T1 to T2 regarding use of the hand in daily activities (p =.001, r = 0.96) and movement quality (p =.004, r = 0.85) and from T1 to T3 regarding satisfaction with performance in meaningful activities (p =.004, r = 0.94). The CG significantly improved the performance of using the hand in meaningful activities from T1 to T2 (p =.017, r = 0.86). The training was well tolerated by the participants and performed without any adverse events. Conclusions: Combined sensory relearning and task-specific training may be a promising and feasible intervention to improve UL sensorimotor function after stroke.</p>}},
  author       = {{Carlsson, Håkan and Rosén, Birgitta and Björkman, Anders and Pessah-Rasmussen, Hélène and Brogårdh, Christina}},
  issn         = {{1934-1482}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{12}},
  pages        = {{1461--1473}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{PM and R}},
  title        = {{Efficacy and feasibility of SENSory relearning of the UPPer limb (SENSUPP) in people with chronic stroke : A pilot randomized controlled trial}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12767}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/pmrj.12767}},
  volume       = {{14}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}