Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of a phone-monitored home exercise
program for the upper limb following stroke. METHODS:
A pre-post double baseline
repeated measures design was used. Participants completed an 8-week home exercise
program that included behavioural strategies to promote greater use of the
affected upper limb. Participants were monitored weekly by therapists over the
phone. The following feasibility outcomes were collected: Process (e.g.
recruitment rate); Resources (e.g. exercise adherence rate); Management (e.g.
therapist monitoring) and Scientific (e.g. safety, effect sizes). Clinical
outcomes included: The Chedoke Arm and Hand Inventory, Motor Activity Log, grip
strength and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. RESULTS: Eight
individuals with stroke were recruited and six participants completed the
exercise program. All but one of the six participants met the exercise target of
60 minutes/day, 6 days/week. Participants were stable across the baseline period.
The following post-treatment effect sizes were observed: CAHAI (0.944, p =
0.046); MALQ (0.789, p = 0.03) grip strength (0.947, p = 0.046); COPM (0.789, p =
0.03). Improvements were maintained at three and six month follow ups.
CONCLUSIONS: Community dwelling individuals with stroke may benefit from a
phone-monitored upper limb home exercise program that includes behavioural
strategies that promote transfer of exercise gains into daily upper limb use.
Implications for Rehabilitation
A repetitive, task-oriented home exercise program
that utilizes telephone supervision may be an effective method for the treatment
of the upper limb following stroke This program is best suited for individuals
with mild to moderate level impairment and experience a sufficient level of
challenge from the exercises
An exercise program that includes behavioural
strategies may promote transfer of exercise gains into greater use of the
affected upper limb during daily activities.

Langue : ANGLAIS