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Objective: We investigated the effect of long-term practice on motor improvements in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized parallel group controlled study. Setting: Motor Behavior Laboratory, University of Florida. Subjects: Eighteen individuals who experienced a stroke more than nine months prior to enrolling. Interventions: The treatment interventions were bilateral arm movements coupled with active neuromuscular stimulation on the impaired arm for both practice duration groups. The short-term group received one treatment protocol, whereas, over 16 months, the long-term practice group completed 10 treatment protocols. All protocol sessions were 6 hours long (90 minutes 1 day/week/4 weeks) and were separated by 22 days. Main outcome measures: Repeated data collection on three primary outcome measures (i.e. Box and Block test, fractionated reaction times, and sustained force production) evaluated motor capabilities across rehabilitation times. Results: Mixed design ANOVAs (GroupRetention Test: 24; GroupRetention TestArm Condition: 242) revealed improved motor capabilities for the long-term practice duration group on each primary measure. At the 16-month delayed retention test, when compared to the short-term group, the long-term group demonstrated: (a) more blocks moved (43 v 32), (b) faster premotor reaction times (158 v 208 ms), and (c) higher force production (75 v 45 N). Conclusion: Sixty hours of rehabilitation over 16 months provided by various bilateral arm movements and coupled active stimulation improved motor capabilities in chronic stroke.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Chronic stroke, motor recovery, upper extremity rehabilitation, bilateral movements and active
Research Division:	Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Research Group:	Psychology
Research Field:	Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions)
Objective Field:	Nervous System and Disorders
UTAS Author:	Summers, JJ (Professor Jeffery Summers)
ID Code:	74949
Year Published:	2011
Web of Science® Times Cited:	13
Deposited By:	Psychology
Deposited On:	2011-12-16
Last Modified:	2017-11-07
Downloads:	1 View Download Statistics