Effectiveness of Sensory Retraining Combines Occupational Therapy on Upper Extremity Rehabilitation in Stroke

Abstract

This study is an experimental study. The objective was to study the effectiveness of sensory retraining in combination with occupational therapy (OT) on upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. The author conducted a randomized controlled trial divided into two groups (control group and experimental group) Fifty-eight participants were assigned to control group (N=29) and experimental group (N=29). Both groups received frequency rehabilitation three times a week for six consecutive weeks for a total of 18 sessions, with the experimental group receiving 30 minutes of occupational therapy rehabilitation, followed by 30 minutes of sensory retraining for a total of 60 minutes, and the control group receiving 60 minutes of occupational therapy rehabilitation. The assessments consisted of (1) the functional Tactile Object Recognition, (2) Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Physical Performance (Upper Extremity Motor), and (3) Sensory Assessment, with a total of two measurements: before and after the end of the last rehabilitation. The study found that upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients using sensory retraining techniques combined with general occupational therapy rehabilitation was more effective in increasing sensory ability through object recognition from physical senses and sensations in the arms and hands than conventional occupational therapy rehabilitation alone. On the ability to control the movement of the upper limbs, the score changes increase. The results of the study concluded that sensory retraining combined with general occupational therapy rehabilitation is a technique that can effectively improve the sensory ability of the weak arm and hand.