Volume :
3
Issue :
4
Abstract :
Traditionally, stroke rehabilitation had been focused on passive approaches or compensating the non paretic hand. Recently both the paradigms for rehabilitation interventions and time frame for possible upper extremity motor recovery have been challenged.Recent reviews of motor rehabilitation and neural reorganisation have indicated that intervention strategies based on sound motor control and learning principles offer considerable promise in promoting recovery in chronic stroke patients. This study is of experimental study design. Outcome measures are Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT).A total of thirty subjects who met with the criteria were randomized into bilateral task specific and neuro developmental therapy groups, fifteen each. The individuals of both groups were trained for 40 minutes per session by qualified therapists for 4 days in a week for 6 weeks. Functional ability of impaired upper extremity were measured prior to and following treatment protocol using ARAT and WMFT. Individuals those who received bilateral task specific training showed a reduction in movement time (WMFT) of the impaired limb and increased upper extremity functional ability (ARAT) compared to individuals receiving neuro developmental therapy. Overall, these findings suggest that bilateral task specific training protocol improves motor function in patients with much denser upper extremity hemi paresis than Bobath [NDT] training and the gains can be attained over a relatively brief training period.