Article

Observation of action with intention-to-imitate (OTI)
might enhance motor recovery. This early phase trial investigated whether OTI
followed by physical practice (OTI + PP) enhanced the benefits of conventional
physical therapy (CPT) on upper limb recovery early after stroke. METHODS: Participants were 3 to 31 days poststroke. They had substantial paresis and
ability to imitate action with their ipsilesional arm. After baseline measures,
participants were randomized to either OTI + PP in addition to CPT or to CPT
only. Outcome measures were made after 15 days of treatment. The measurement
battery was the Motricity Index (MI) and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT).
Change, baseline to outcome, was examined using the Wilcoxon test for within
group and Mann-Whitney U test for between groups. RESULTS: Sixty-five of 570
stroke survivors were eligible, 55 were able to imitate, 37 gave informed
consent, 7 were transferred out of area before baseline, and 29 were randomized.
Outcome measures were completed with 13 CPT participants and 9 OTI + PP
participants. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements for the
MI (CPT median change 8, P = .003; OTI + PP median change 10, P = .012) but the
median (95% confidence interval [CI]) between-group difference was 0.0 (-11, 16),
P = 1.000. For the ARAT, only the CPT group showed a statistically significant
improvement (median 9, P = .006). The median (95% CI) between-group difference of
1.0 (-18, 23) was not statistically significant (P = .815). CONCLUSIONS: These
findings suggest that OTI + PP might add little to the benefits of CPT early after stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS