Survivors of Chronic Stroke Experience Continued Impairment of Dexterity But Not Strength in the Nonparetic Upper Limb

Authors

Alexander J. Barry, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Kristen M. Triandafilou, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Mary Ellen Stoykov, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Naveen K. Bansal, Marquette UniversityFollow
Elliot J. Roth, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Derek G. Kamper, Illinois Institute of Technology

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

7-2020

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Source ISSN

0003-9993

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the performance of the less affected upper limb in people with stroke compared with normative values. To examine less affected upper limb function in those whose prestroke dominant limb became paretic and those whose prestroke nondominant limb became paretic.

Design

Cohort study of survivors of chronic stroke (7.2±6.7y post incident).

Setting

The study was performed at a freestanding academic rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Survivors of chronic stroke (N=40) with severe hand impairment (Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessment rating of 2-3 on Stage of Hand) participated in the study. In 20 participants the prestroke dominant hand (DH) was tested (nondominant hand [NH] affected by stroke), and in 20 participants the prestroke NH was tested (DH affected by stroke).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measure

Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. Data from survivors of stroke were compared with normative age- and sex-matched data from neurologically intact individuals.

Results

When combined, DH and NH groups performed significantly worse on fine motor tasks with their nonparetic hand relative to normative data (PP>.140).

Conclusions

Survivors of stroke with severe impairment of the paretic limb continue to present significant upper extremity impairment in their nominally nonparetic limb even years after stroke. This phenomenon was observed regardless of whether the DH or NH hand was primarily affected. Because this group of survivors of stroke is especially dependent on the nonparetic limb for performing functional tasks, our results suggest that the nonparetic upper limb should be targeted for rehabilitation.

Comments

Accepted version. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 101, No. 7 (July 2020): 1170-1175. DOI. © 2020 Elsevier (WB Saunders)

Recommended Citation

Barry, Alexander J.; Triandafilou, Kristen M.; Stoykov, Mary Ellen; Bansal, Naveen K.; Roth, Elliot J.; and Kamper, Derek G., "Survivors of Chronic Stroke Experience Continued Impairment of Dexterity But Not Strength in the Nonparetic Upper Limb" (2020). Mathematical and Statistical Science Faculty Research and Publications. 46.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/math_fac/46