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The feasibility of the adapted H-GRASP program for perceived and actual daily-life upper limb activity in the chronic phase post-stroke.

Bea EssersJanne M VeerbeekAndreas R LuftGeert Verheyden
Published in: Disability and rehabilitation (2024)
( Purpose : Assessing feasibility and initial impact of the Home-Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program combined with in-home accelerometer-based feedback (AH-GRASP) on perceived and actual daily-life upper limb (UL) activity in stroke survivors during the chronic phase with good UL motor function but low perceived daily-life activity. Material and methods : A 4-week intervention program (4 contact hours, 48 h self-practice) encompassing task-oriented training, behavioral techniques, phone-based support, monitoring, and weekly feedback sessions using wrist-worn accelerometery was implemented using a pre-post double baseline repeated measures design. Feasibility, clinical assessments, patient-reported outcomes, and accelerometer data were investigated. Results : Of the 34 individuals approached, nineteen were included (recruitment rate 56%). Two dropped out, one due to increased UL pain (retention rate 89%). Seven (41%) achieved the prescribed exercise target (120 min/day, six days/week). Positive patient experiences and improvements in UL capacity, self-efficacy, and contribution of the affected UL to overall activity ( p  < 0.05, small to large effect sizes) were observed. Additionally, seven participants (41%) surpassed the minimal clinically important difference in perceived UL activity. Conclusions : A home-based UL exercise program with accelerometer-based feedback holds promise for enhancing perceived and actual daily-life UL activity for our subgroup of chronic stroke survivors.
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