Article

We investigated changes in functional arm use after retraining for
stroke-related somatosensory loss and identified whether such changes are
associated with somatosensory discrimination skills.
METHOD: Data were pooled (N
= 80) from two randomized controlled trials of somatosensory retraining. We used
the Motor Activity Log to measure perceived amount of arm use in daily activities
and the Action Research Arm Test to measure performance capacity. Somatosensory
discrimination skills were measured using standardized modality-specific
measures. RESULTS: Participants' arm use improved after somatosensory retraining
(z = -6.80, p < .01). Change in arm use was weakly associated with
somatosensation (tactile, beta = 0.31, p < .01; proprioception, beta = -0.17, p >
.05; object recognition, beta = 0.13, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Change in daily arm
use was related to a small amount of variance in somatosensory outcomes. Stroke
survivors' functional arm use can increase after somatosensory retraining, with
change varying among survivors.

Langue : ANGLAIS