The Effect of Occupation-Based Bilateral Upper Extremity Training in a Medical Setting for Stroke Patients: A Single-Blinded, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Occupation used in occupation-based intervention requires the use of 2 naturally coordinated hands. Objective: To investigate by implementing occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training in medical setting to stroke patients and determine its effect in patients' bilateral upper extremity function recovery. Methods: A total of 20 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training) or control group (task-based bilateral upper extremity training). The intervention of the 2 groups was conducted 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, and 4 weeks long. The outcome was assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Stroke Impact Scale, Action Research Arm Test, the Yonsei-Bilateral Activity Test, Accelerometer, and participants were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results: There was a significant change in the satisfaction and performance status of occupational performance, strength, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), emotion, participant recovery in stroke recovery, gross movement in the function of the affected side, satisfaction in perform bilateral upper extremity in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions: The clinical significance of this study is that this study demonstrated the effectiveness and usefulness of the training in the actual medical setting in improving upper extremity function and psychosocial factors.