(Stroke. 1997;28:722-728.)
© 1997 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articles |
From the Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney (Australia).
Correspondence to Catherine Dean, School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, East St, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW, 2141, Australia. E-mail c.dean{at}cchs.usyd.edu.au.
| Abstract |
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Methods Twenty subjects at least 1 year after stroke were randomized into an experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in a standardized training program involving practice of reaching beyond arm's length. The control group received sham training involving completion of cognitive-manipulative tasks within arm's length. Performance of reaching in sitting was measured before and after training using electromyography, videotaping, and two force plates. Variables tested were movement time, distance reached, vertical ground reaction forces through the feet, and muscle activity. Subjects were also tested on sit-to-stand, walking, and cognitive tasks. Nineteen subjects completed the study.
Results After training, experimental subjects were able to reach faster and further, increase load through the affected foot, and increase activation of affected leg muscles compared with the control group (P<.01). The experimental group also improved in sit-to-stand. The control group did not improve in reaching or sit-to-stand. Neither group improved in walking.
Conclusions This study provides strong evidence of the efficacy of task-related motor training in improving the ability to balance during seated reaching activities after stroke.
Key Words: exercise hemiplegia motor activity rehabilitation stroke outcome
| Introduction |
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Restoration of sitting balance is one of the goals of rehabilitation; however, the effect of sitting balance training with hemiplegic patients has not been specifically investigated. The most commonly used method of neurological rehabilitation is Bobath therapy.7 8 This therapy does not use the training of self-initiated activities in sitting as a means of improving balance control. Instead, emphasis is on the patient responding to physiotherapist-induced movement.9 10 11 In addition, Bobath therapy emphasizes the role of the trunk and not the lower limbs.9 10 11 Recent evidence suggests that such a therapeutic approach may not be well founded. For example, the leg muscles are more impaired than the trunk muscles after stroke, possibly due to the greater bilateral innervation of trunk muscles,12 and there is evidence that the muscles of the lower limbs are critical to moving the body mass over the base of support. In contrast to the Bobath approach, task-related training of volitional actions in sitting has for several years been proposed as a method of improving balance control in sitting.13 14 15
Performance of seated reaching tasks requires the coordinated motion of the trunk and upper limbs.16 17 18 Healthy subjects are able to reach significantly further when the feet are in contact with the ground compared with when they are not.19 However, the role of lower limbs is not only to provide a larger base of support; according to recent studies, the lower limbs also play an active role in balance.16 20 21 22 23 Several factors have been identified that influence the contribution of the lower limbs to balance in sitting. Distance and direction of reach, seat height, and extent of thigh support on the seat have all been shown to affect the magnitude of the load borne through the feet and in some cases also the activity in leg muscles.16 20 21 22 23 24
The purpose of this investigation, a randomized placebo-controlled trial of task-related training after stroke, was to examine the effect of a training program designed to improve the ability to balance in sitting after stroke. Individuals at least 1 year after stroke who were discharged from all formal rehabilitation services were recruited as subjects. These criteria were set to ensure that the amount and type of training could be controlled. In addition, the possibility that spontaneous recovery would confound any training effects was eliminated. Specifically, the aims of training were to increase the distance reached and the active contribution of the lower limbs to support and balance. A standardized training program was devised based on research into the performance of seated reaching tasks and on a published program of motor training after stroke.13
| Subjects and Methods |
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Design
A pretest and posttest group design was used. Subjects were
randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group.
Randomization was blocked to ensure equal numbers in the groups. The
procedure involved random sampling without replacement; subjects drew a
card from a box that was originally filled with 10 control and 10
experimental cards. One subject (subject 17) from the control group
dropped out of the study because of an acute neurological episode that
required hospitalization. There were no significant differences between
the groups in terms of age, time since stroke, or walking velocity
(age, P=.717; time since stroke, P=.864; walking
velocity, P=.248).
Training Programs
Subjects in both groups participated in standardized training
programs. Each program consisted of 10 sessions spread over a 2-week
period. The training programs were carried out by the first author
(C.D.) in the subject's home. The training for the experimental group
was designed to improve sitting balance and involved emphasis on
appropriate loading of the affected leg while practicing reaching tasks
using the unaffected hand to grasp objects located beyond arm's
length. The reaching tasks were performed under systematically varied
conditions. Distance and direction were varied by changing the location
of the object. Seat height, movement speed, object weight, and extent
of thigh support on the seat were also varied. The training was
advanced by increasing the number of repetitions and complexity of the
tasks over the 2-week period.
The control group had sham training that incorporated the performance of cognitive-manipulative tasks while seated at a table. Sham training was performed so that subjects would consider themselves involved in a training program and to eliminate any effect due to placebo. Subjects were seated in a chair with arm and back supports and the forearms resting on a table. They performed manipulative tasks using the unaffected hand over small distances (less than 50% of arm length). Training was advanced over sessions by increasing the repetitions and cognitive difficulty of the tasks. The subjects in the control group performed an equal number of reaching movements as the subjects assigned to the experimental group; however, the nature of the tasks ensured that only a minimum balance perturbation occurred.
Subjects in both groups were given feedback about their performance, all tasks were timed, and subjects were encouraged to perform the tasks faster. Each session took an average of 30 minutes to complete.
Testing Protocol
At pretests and posttests conducted in the University
laboratory, subjects were measured on two seated reaching tests. In
addition, sit-to-stand, walking, and cognitive-manipulative tasks were
examined. Walking speed and cognitive-manipulative tasks were evaluated
by an assessor blinded to the subject's group allocation.
Biomechanical data collection and analysis for the seated
reaching tasks and sit-to-stand were computerized, which minimized
experimenter bias because group allocation was not evident to the
operator.
Reaching Tests
Subjects were videotaped from the side as they reached with the
unaffected hand to pick up and drink water from a glass under three
reach direction conditions: forward, 45° toward the unaffected side
(ipsilateral), and 45° across the body toward the affected side
(across) (Fig 1
).
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Subjects sat on a height-adjustable stool with each foot resting on adjacent force plates (Advanced Medical Technology Inc, model OR6-5-1) that sampled ground reaction forces (GRF) at 100 Hz for 10 seconds. Vertical GRF data through each plate were extracted and normalized for body weight.
Subjects started with the unaffected hand resting on a
pressure-sensitive switch with a sensitivity of 5 g that was
placed on the side of the stool and connected to a light. Deactivation
of the light signaled the start of hand movement. The starting position
was standardized. Seat height was adjusted to 100% lower leg length,
measured from the lateral knee joint line to the floor with the subject
standing barefoot. A steel plate (50x30 cm) mounted on a steel pole
formed a height-adjustable table. Table
height was adjusted to 75% of
shoulder height, defined as the distance from the shoulder marker to
the floor with the subject sitting in the standardized position.
Reaching distance was standardized to 140% of arm length. Subjects
reached for a glass filled with water that was placed over a
pressure-sensitive table switch. Lifting the glass activated a
light, which defined the end of hand movement.
Adhesive surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes (Meditrace, 11 mm, self-adhesive silver/silver chloride) were placed over the following muscles: anterior deltoid of the unaffected arm and bilaterally over the lateral vastus, anterior tibial, and soleus. Electrode placement was in accordance with the location described by Basmajian and Blumenstein.27 EMG signals were acquired through isolated preamplifiers and AC amplifiers (Neomedix) with a band-pass filter from 5 Hz to 1 kHz and incorporating a 50-Hz notch filter. The EMG signal was sampled at 1001 Hz using an analog-to-digital converter (Data Translation DT2814). To detect significant muscle onsets, EMG analysis involved using a computer program based on an algorithm developed by Di Fabio.28 The EMG signal was full-wave-rectified and a mean baseline level of activity measured before the reaching activity was calculated. The program detected when the EMG activity exceeded the mean±3 SD for a period of at least 25 milliseconds. All onsets were checked with visual inspection.
Subjects were instructed to reach for the glass and drink from it. No instructions about movement speed were given. Five practice trials were given before data collection in each condition, and four trials in each of the three conditions were analyzed. The order of conditions was randomized across subjects. For each subject, the order of testing was identical for both pretests and posttests.
Maximum distance that subjects could reach was tested by having subjects reach in each direction as far as possible. The best attempt from three was measured to the nearest 0.5 cm using a steel pole with millimeter increments.
Additional Tests
Subjects were asked to stand up with their weight evenly
distributed through both feet from a seat height of 115% of lower leg
length. GRF data were collected for three trials. The time taken to
walk 10 m was measured with a stopwatch. Cognitive function was
measured on a variety of tasks, and the time taken to complete these
tasks was recorded. The tasks assessed were letter
cancellation,26 number of words found in a word puzzle
within 3 minutes, and mathematics questions.
Statistical Analysis
Both between- and within-group comparisons were made. For the
between-group comparisons, the change scores from pretest to posttest
on all dependent variables were calculated. All variables
except the EMG activity were compared using two-tailed independent
sample t tests. When the data did not meet the assumptions
of normality and equal variance, nonparametric tests were
also used. Since they produced the same results as the
parametric tests, t test results are
presented for all variables. EMG activity was evaluated
using the Mann-Whitney U test. Within-group analysis
used two-tailed paired t tests for pretest and posttest
scores on all variables except EMG, which was analyzed
using the Wilcoxon ranked-sign test. Significance was set at
P<.01.
| Results |
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After training, the experimental group significantly increased the maximum reaching distance in all directions. In contrast, the control group did not improve. The difference between the groups was significant for all directions (P<.001).
Experimental subjects performed the reaching tasks in a shorter time than control subjects. Differences between the groups were significant in the two diagonal reach conditions (ipsilateral, P=.008; across, P=.001), and there was a trend toward a reduction in movement time for the experimental group compared with the control group in the forward condition (P=.048).
Experimental subjects showed a significant increase in peak vertical GRF through the affected foot in the forward and across conditions after training. Mean peak vertical GRF through the affected foot increased to 25.5% and 33.3% body weight for the forward and across conditions, respectively. In contrast, the control group showed no improvement in any direction and a slight decrease in peak vertical GRF in the forward condition. The difference between the groups was significant for the forward and across conditions (P<.001). Note that peak vertical GRF through the affected foot in the ipsilateral direction would not be expected to increase because, in this condition, the unaffected lower limb would be making the major contribution to support and balance.
The improvements in pattern and amplitude of loading through the
affected foot and the reduction in hand movement time by the
experimental group from pretest to posttest are illustrated in Fig 3
, where representative trials are
presented. Pretraining trials illustrate two deficits that are
typical of stroke: (1) slowness of movement (in the across condition,
the subject took almost 5 seconds to reach the glass) and (2) lack of
loading of the affected leg (regardless of reach direction, the subject
did not load the affected foot). Note that posttraining graphs are
similar to the patterns of force displayed by a healthy subject. Fig 4
shows a representative trial from a
subject in the control group, illustrating the lack of improvement in
force production and movement time at posttest.
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Subjects in the experimental group were able to activate
muscles in the affected leg (lateral vastus, anterior tibial, and
soleus) in more trials at posttest than subjects in the control group
(Table 3
). This increased consistency of
muscle activation was particularly noticeable in the forward and across
conditions, the conditions in which the affected leg was bearing
weight. There was a significant difference between the groups in
anterior tibial and soleus muscle activation in the forward condition
(anterior tibial, P=.005; soleus, P=.006). There
were no other significant between- or within-group differences.
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Other Functional Tests
For the experimental group, there was a significant increase in
the peak vertical GRF produced through the affected foot when subjects
stood up from sitting at posttest (P=.002). Overall, this
increase was from 43% to 51% body weight. In contrast, there was no
significant difference from pretest to posttest for the control group
(P=.247).
There were no significant differences between or within groups on time taken to walk 10 m. The control group performed better than the experimental group on the three cognitive tasks (letter cancellation, word puzzle, and mathematics questions). However, the difference between the groups was only significant on the letter cancellation task (P=.002).
| Discussion |
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On completion of training, the experimental subjects had not only increased the speed of reaching but were also able to reach at a speed comparable with that of healthy, similarly aged subjects.23 Two particular aspects of the training program may have contributed to the increase in movement speed. First, the trainer specifically instructed subjects to increase their speed during practice and provided feedback about movement time. Second, successful accomplishment of one of the tasks trained required subjects to complete it within the shortest period possible.
The ability to reach further and faster appears to be directly linked to the improved ability to use the affected leg for support and balance. The beneficial effect of training on affected lower limb function shown in this study is reflected in the significant increase in the load taken through the affected foot when subjects reached forward and toward that side. Notably, the values attained at posttest approached values reported for healthy subjects reaching in these directions.21 This improvement probably reflects certain factors incorporated into the training program and illustrates the effectiveness of basing rehabilitation strategies on critical biomechanical features. Several factors were systematically manipulated. Distance to be reached was increased over the training period because the load taken through the feet increases as reaching distance increases.16 The extent of thigh support on the seat was reduced within each training session because there is an inverse relationship between extent of support and magnitude of the load taken through the feet.21 22 Reaching direction was varied because direction of reach determines the relative contribution from each lower limb to support and balance.20 21
The findings illustrate the role of the lower limbs in balancing the body in sitting during reaching tasks. Peak vertical GRF through the feet occurs normally around the end of the reach. At this time, force through the feet acts to brake the forward momentum of the body mass and to prevent a fall forward. Additional force enables the return of the upper body to the upright position. After training, stroke subjects had improved the timing of peak vertical GRF to normal and were able to activate anterior tibial and soleus muscles in the affected leg more consistently. Activation of these muscles, which link the shank to the foot, assists in balancing the body mass during distant reaches both in sitting20 and standing.29 Therefore, both GRF and EMG findings support the view that the lower limbs play an active role in support and balance during seated reaching tasks and that stroke patients can be trained to use their affected lower limb more actively when reaching beyond arm's length.
Overall, the findings of this study support the concept of specificity of training, which has been discussed in relation to able-bodied subjects30 and proposed as a means of rehabilitating the movement disabled.13 14 15 31 Experimental subjects improved on the actions that they practiced. However, they also improved on an action (sit-to-stand) that was not itself included in the training. The improvement in force production in sit-to-stand but not in walking speed suggests that generalization to a biomechanically similar action occurred. Rapid movement of the trunk forward and loading of the feet, both of which were practiced as part of reaching to a distant object, are also critical biomechanical components of the early phase of sit-to-stand.32 In contrast, the performance of control subjects on reaching tasks, which they had not practiced, actually declined, while performance of the cognitive-manipulative tasks that they had practiced improved, in one task significantly.
The results have implications for rehabilitation, demonstrating that stroke patients can improve their performance on seated reaching tasks to near normal with a short task-related training program that takes into account normative biomechanics and lower limb function. The findings directly challenge the assumption that improvement in function after stroke is due only to spontaneous recovery. In addition, the outcome is consistent with the increasing evidence that stroke patients can improve their performance of specific tasks if those tasks are included in training and practiced.33 34 35 It is reasonable to assume that such training would also be effective in many patients if implemented early after stroke, when the potential for neuroplasticity may be greatest.36
In conclusion, this study investigated the efficacy of a motor training program designed to improve sitting balance control in stroke patients after discharge from rehabilitation. The results demonstrate that the training program, which was designed from existing scientific knowledge about human movement and how persons acquire skill in movement, was effective. Training involved intensive practice of reaching to objects beyond arm's length with systematic variation of speed, type of task, seat height, extent of thigh support, and distance and direction reached. Subjects significantly increased the contribution from the affected lower limb to support and balance and were able to reach faster and further. Furthermore, they also significantly increased the load taken through the affected foot when standing up from sitting. The study highlights the value of designing scientifically based rehabilitation programs.
| Acknowledgments |
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Received December 5, 1996; revision received January 23, 1997; accepted January 23, 1997.
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T E Howe, I Taylor, P Finn, and H Jones Lateral weight transference exercises following acute stroke: a preliminary study of clinical effectiveness Clinical Rehabilitation, January 1, 2005; 19(1): 45 - 53. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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J. E Sullivan and L. D Hedman A Home Program of Sensory and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With Upper-Limb Task Practice in a Patient 5 Years After a Stroke Physical Therapy, November 1, 2004; 84(11): 1045 - 1054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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M.F. Walker, J. Leonardi-Bee, P. Bath, P. Langhorne, M. Dewey, S. Corr, A. Drummond, L. Gilbertson, J.R.F. Gladman, L. Jongbloed, et al. Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Community Occupational Therapy for Stroke Patients Stroke, September 1, 2004; 35(9): 2226 - 2232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. Luke, K. J Dodd, and K. Brock Outcomes of the Bobath concept on upper limb recovery following stroke Clinical Rehabilitation, August 1, 2004; 18(8): 888 - 898. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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C. G Canning, L. Ada, R. Adams, and N. J O'Dwyer Loss of strength contributes more to physical disability after stroke than loss of dexterity Clinical Rehabilitation, March 1, 2004; 18(3): 300 - 308. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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M. F Levin, J. Desrosiers, D. Beauchemin, N. Bergeron, and A. Rochette Development and Validation of a Scale for Rating Motor Compensations Used for Reaching in Patients With Hemiparesis: The Reaching Performance Scale Physical Therapy, January 1, 2004; 84(1): 8 - 22. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. G Canning, R. B Shepherd, J. H Carr, J. A Alison, L. Wade, and A. White A randomized controlled trial of the effects of intensive sit-to-stand training after recent traumatic brain injury on sit-to-stand performance Clinical Rehabilitation, April 1, 2003; 17(4): 355 - 362. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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C. C Bassile, C. Dean, B. Boden-Albala, and R. Sacco Obstacle training programme for individuals post stroke: feasibility study Clinical Rehabilitation, February 1, 2003; 17(2): 130 - 136. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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M H Mudie, U Winzeler-Mercay, S Radwan, and L Lee Training symmetry of weight distribution after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study comparing task-related reach, Bo bath and feedback training approaches Clinical Rehabilitation, June 1, 2002; 16(6): 582 - 592. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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G Kwakkel, B J Kollen, and R C Wagenaar Long term effects of intensity of upper and lower limb training after stroke: a randomised trial J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, April 1, 2002; 72(4): 473 - 479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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C. Monger, J. H Carr, and V. Fowler Evaluation of a home-based exercise and training programme to improve sit-to-stand in patients with chronic stroke Clinical Rehabilitation, April 1, 2002; 16(4): 361 - 367. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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V M Pomeroy, B Evans, M Falconer, D Jones, E Hill, and G Giakas An exploration of the effects of weighted garments on balance and gait of stroke patients with residual disability Clinical Rehabilitation, April 1, 2001; 15(4): 390 - 397. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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S. Hesse, C. Werner, D. Uhlenbrock, S.V. Frankenberg, A. Bardeleben, and B. Brandl-Hesse An Electromechanical Gait Trainer for Restoration of Gait in Hemiparetic Stroke Patients: Preliminary Results Neurorehabil Neural Repair, January 1, 2001; 15(1): 39 - 50. [Abstract] [PDF] |
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C.-y. Wu, M.-k. Wong, K.-c. Lin, and H.-c. Chen Effects of Task Goal and Personal Preference on Seated Reaching Kinematics After Stroke Stroke, January 1, 2001; 32(1): 70 - 76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
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J. Richardson, M. Law, L. Wishart, and G. Guyatt The Use of a Simulated Environment (Easy Street) to Retrain Independent Living Skills in Elderly Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2000; 55(10): 578M - 584. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
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