Long term follow up of task specific functional training in rehabilitation of Stroke patients – South Indian study.

Veena Rao; Dinesh Nayak S; Bhanu K; Srinivasan A.V.

Volume : X, Issue : II, February - 2020

Long term follow up of task specific functional training in rehabilitation of Stroke patients – South Indian study.

Veena Rao, Dinesh Nayak S, Bhanu K, Srinivasan A. V.

Abstract :

Background & Objective : To study if home–based task–specific motor training with functional goal–directed activity is better than standard physiotherapy in improving motor function following stroke. Methods: Prospective randomized single blind trial in 68 acute stroke patients with motor deficits one week after stroke were randomised to :1) Control group received standard physiotherapy care, and home advice given at discharge. 2) Experimental group received task specific functional achievable goals. Physiotherapists supervised therapy at home. NIHSS score assessed severity of impairment. Barthel Index (BI) at first contact, and at 12 months were scored for both groups. Results : There were 68 patients (mean age 62.22 ± 2 yrs.) Moderately affected stroke patients (NIHSS score–5–15) were 88.2%. The Barthel Index score was significantly better (p=0.0001) in the experimental group at one year post–stroke. Conclusions: The experimental group who received task–specific functional goals improved significantly better than the control group who had limited physiotherapy input .