Improving arm function after stroke using task-specific training
Eighty-five per cent of the 15 million people in the world annually who have a stroke cannot use their arm for basic tasks like eating and toileting. With usual health care services, 60% of stroke survivors still have non-functional arms 6 months after stroke. More effective treatments are needed.
In this project we will be investigating through a large randomised controlled trial (RCT) if a task-specific home-based training program can improve arm function in people with stroke. Our trial includes investigating the cost-effectiveness of task-specific training, compared to current practice, and identifying potential barriers to implementation and possible solutions.
Aim
- Conduct a large Phase III, two-arm, multicentre randomised controlled trial to identify if a 6-week task-specific home-based training program is more effective than current practice in improving arm function and amount of arm use.
Our pilot RCT (48 participants) established the feasibility of the Phase III trial and produced proof-of-concept support for our hypotheses. We also developed a detailed task-specific training manual (122 exercises) to be used in this trial.
Large Phase III trials in stroke rehabilitation are uncommon. This trial is novel because it is the first Phase III two-arm, multicentre RCT of task-specific training. We expect participants themselves, who rate upper limb rehabilitation as one of the top 10 stroke research priorities, to reap significant benefit from our findings.
The therapy suits participants with all levels of movement impairment, does not require special equipment, and can be practised independently. This makes it suitable for delivery to almost all participants, unlike other treatments. 83% participants in the feasibility trial said task-specific training made a difference to use of their arm – e.g. ‘I have more movement. More confidence to try things in my life.’, ‘Improvement on grasping things – I find it easier. Stronger arm’ – and 96% said it was worth the effort.
Research team
Research group
Collaborators
- Professor Paulette van Vliet
- Doctor Ailie Turton
- Professor Patrick McElduff
- Professor Gert Kwakkel
Take part in this project
Apply to be a participant
This project is open for expressions of interest from those wanting to take part in a clinical trial. Contact us to learn more about participating.
Contact us
If you’re interested in learning more about this project please contact our team.
