Preliminary study of the effect of low-intensity home-based physical therapy in chronic stroke patients

Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2004 Jan;20(1):18-23. doi: 10.1016/S1607-551X(09)70079-8.

Abstract

This study was a preliminary examination of the effect of low-intensity home-based physical therapy on the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) and motor function in patients more than 1 year after stroke. Twenty patients were recruited from a community stroke register in Nan-Tou County, Taiwan, to a randomized, crossover trial comparing intervention by a physical therapist immediately after entry into the trial (Group I) or after a delay of 10 weeks (Group II). The intervention consisted of home-based physical therapy once a week for 10 weeks. The Barthel Index (BI) and Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) were used as standard measures for ADL and motor function. At the first follow-up assessment at 11 weeks, Group I showed greater improvement in lower limb motor function than Group II. At the second follow-up assessment at 22 weeks, Group II showed improvement while Group I had declined. At 22 weeks, the motor function of upper limbs, mobility, and ADL performance in Group II had improved slightly more than in Group I, but the between-group differences were not significant. It appears that low-intensity home-based physical therapy can improve lower limb motor function in chronic stroke survivors. Further studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hemiplegia / rehabilitation
  • Home Care Services
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Therapy Specialty / methods*
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*
  • Taiwan
  • Treatment Outcome