Effectiveness of Bilateral Arm Training on Upper Extremity Function in Sub-Acute Stroke Patients: Pilot Study

Heena Parmar, Nensi Gandhi

Abstract: Objective: To see the effect of bilateral arm training on the upper limb function. Subject and Method: 30 subjects diagnosed with sub-acute stroke were assigned to study. Intervention in form of Conventional & Bilateral arm training were given for 5 Days per week for four weeks. Upper extremity function test was evaluated by Fugl Meyer Assessment, Motor activity log scale and action research arm test pre- & post treatment. Relationship and responsiveness of all clinical test were performed by Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Mann-Whitney test respectively. Result: All correlations were significant at 95 % C. I. at baseline as well as four-week time. There is increasing bilateral arm training function on upper limb while comparing to conventional therapy in four-week protocol. Conclusion: On the basis of present study, it can be concluded that Bilateral arm training can be beneficial in improving upper limb function in sub-acute stroke patient when it compares to the Conventional therapy by using the Fugl Meyer assessment scale, Motor activity log scale and action research arm test

Keywords: Stroke, Bilateral arm training, Conventional therapy, Upper limb function