Effects of the different intensities of task-oriented training on the upper extremity motor function and self-care ability of stroke survivors: study protocol for a multiarm parallel-group randomised controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in China

Introduction Although task-oriented training (TOT) may provide added therapeutic value to stroke survivors, current TOT guidance offers insufficient advice on standardisation, particularly choices of intensity, for clinical practice. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effects of different intensities of TOT on motor function and self-care ability of stroke survivors. Methods and analysis This randomised controlled clinical trial will recruit 72 participants from a tertiary hospital, diagnosed with decreased self-care ability and upper limb motor dysfunction post-stroke. All participants will be randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups or the control group to undergo intervention for 8 weeks. The participants in the control group (n=18) will receive traditional occupational therapy, while those in the experimental groups will receive different intensities of TOT (50%, 75% and 100% intensity for groups A, B and C, respectively). This protocol designed a more innovative and optimised TOT programme to explore the optimal intensity of TOT on stroke survivors. The primary outcome is Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and the secondary outcomes include Modified Barthel Index, Wolf Motor Function Test and Motor Activity Log. Ethics and dissemination The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Ethics Committee approved the medical and ethical protocol for this study (LW2022015). All participants will sign an informed consent form. The results will be presented in scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.