Incentive Training Role in Treatment of Hand Dexterity in Patients With Stroke (HD)

South Valley University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy for Hand Dexterity in Stroke Patients; Behavioral: Rehacom Attention Training + Physical Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07027787

Hand dexterity

Details and patient eligibility

About

Attention and hand dexterity are interdependent, with deficits in one often worsening the other. Post-stroke, reduced attention impairs hand dexterity, hindering daily activities, while poor hand function further limits attentional focus. Despite progress in rehabilitation, strategies addressing both remain limited. Purpose: This study explored the impact of incentive-based attention training on hand dexterity in stroke patients.

Full description

Forty male patients with hemorrhagic infarction stroke, aged 45-60 years, were randomized into two equal groups. The control group (Group A, n=20) underwent hand dexterity exercises for 60 minutes per session, while the intervention group (Group B, n=20) received a combination of 30 minutes of hand dexterity exercises and 30 minutes of attention training using the Rehacom system. Both groups completed three training sessions per week for eight weeks (24 sessions). Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-training using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Hand Grip Dynamometer, Rehacom system, and Purdue Pegboard Test (PPBT).

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 45 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. ) Male patients diagnosed with chronic hemorrhagic infarction stroke
2. ) Stroke diagnosis confirmed through CT or MRI scans
3. ) Referred by a neurologist or neurosurgeon
4. ) Right-handed
5. ) Aged between 45 and 60 years
6. ) Stroke duration ranging from 6 months to 1 year
7. ) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher
8. ) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score above 21, indicating no significant cognitive impairment
9. ) Mild spasticity (Grade 1 or 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale)
10. ) Brunnstrom's Stage 4 or 5 of recovery

Exclusion criteria

1. ) Unstable medical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus or hypertension)
2. ) Language deficits that could impair cooperation
3. ) Blindness or deafness
4. ) Severe cognitive impairments affecting task performance
5. ) Presence of brain tumors

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

40 participants in 2 patient groups

Standard Physical Therapy for Hand Dexterity in Stroke Patients

Active Comparator group

Description:

Standard physical therapy program for stroke patients targeting hand dexterity. Conducted 3 times/week for 8 weeks (60 min/session), exercises included wrist and forearm movements, object manipulation, ball gripping, and putty-based hand strengthening.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard Physical Therapy for Hand Dexterity in Stroke Patients

Rehacom Attention Training + Physical Therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Combined intervention: 30 minutes of computerized attention training using the Rehacom system, followed by 30 minutes of standard hand dexterity physical therapy. Conducted 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Rehacom provided task-based cognitive training with visual, auditory, and performance feedback in a controlled lab setting.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Rehacom Attention Training + Physical Therapy