Effectiveness of applying Protection Motivation Theory in Promoting the Behaviors of upper limb movement in stroke patients

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial aimed to study the effectiveness of a program applying the Protection Motivation Theory to promote upper limb movement behaviors in stroke patients. A total of 46 participants were selected through simple random sampling and divided into two groups, with 23 participants in each group. The control group received occupational therapy rehabilitation, while the experimental group received the same therapy along with the program applying the Protection Motivation Theory to promote upper limb movement behaviors. The intervention lasted four weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using three tools: (1) a scale measuring upper limb movement behaviors in stroke patients based on the Protection Motivation Theory, (2) a basic stroke knowledge test for patients, and (3) the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance (upper extremity motor). Post-intervention comparisons using the Mann–Whitney U test showed that the experimental group had significantly higher median scores in upper extremity movement behavior than the control group (4.08 versus 3.52), p<0.05. Similarly, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher median scores in strokerelated knowledge compared with the control group (19 versus 16), p<0.05. For upper extremity motor control ability, no significant difference between the 2 groups was observed (p>0.05). In conclusion, the program applying the Protection Motivation Theory was effective in enhancing upper limb movement behaviors in stroke patients. This integration of rehabilitation medicine and health psychology knowledge leads to sustainable and consistent health care behaviors in stroke patients.