Nervous System Diseases
Conditions
Interventions
Task orientated home programme TOHP
Traditional exercise home programme TEHP
Sponsors
University of the Witwatersrand
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Stroke survivors are recruited if they were diagnosed with a first stroke by a physician/neurologist, resulting in hemiplegia Stroke occurred two to four weeks previously Received no rehabilitation during their short hospital stay Both males and females above the age of 18 years Some voluntary movement in the affected upper limb, as assessed formally by the occupational therapist
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Presenting with a global or receptive aphasia, as evaluated by the occupational therapist Medically unstable as they would be unable to attend active rehabilitation Total or severe sensory deficits or pain syndromes of the upper limb, presented with a shoulder dislocation, fixed deformities of the hand, or shoulder hand syndrome Visually impaired as they would have difficulty following the home programmes Any behavioural problems observed pre-morbidly or due to the stroke, as compliancy with and implementation of the home programme could be impacted on.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure. It is a 30-item disability symptom scale and it is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure physical function and symptoms in people with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb. Each item has five response options. The scores for all items are calculated to obtain a scale score ranging from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability). It includes 21 physical function items (scored from no difficulty to unable) which include activities such as opening a tight or new bottle, writing. turning a key, preparing a meal, pushing open a heavy door, lace an object on a shelf above the head, doing heavy household chores and garden or yard work, making a bed, carrying a shopping bag and heavy object (over 5 Kg), changing a light bulb overhead, washing one’s hair and back, putting on a jersey and using a knife to cut food. Recreational activities which require little effort and which take some force or impact through your arm, shoulder or hand or in which the arm is used freely are also considered. The last items include managing transportation needs and sexual activities. Six symptom items related to the shoulder, arm and hand are scored from none to extreme for pain, pain in specific activity hand, tingling/pins and needles, weakness and stiffness. Finally, four items consider social/role function and self-image and include interferes with normal social activities, limitations in work and other regular daily activities, difficulty sleeping and feeling less capable, confident or useful. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Participants were given an adherence diary to complete the date and time they completed the prescribed home programme, and it was co-signed by the caregiver. The researcher telephoned each participant on a weekly basis to discuss their participation regarding the home programme, which is an effective technique in encouraging compliance also used in previous studies | — |
Countries
South Africa
Contacts
Public ContactDenise Franzsen
Senior lecturer
Outcome results
None listed