Trial Description

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, producing motor impairments that compromise performance of valued activities. Hemiparesis (or weakness in one arm) is particularly disabling, is the primary impairment underlying stroke-related disability, and the most frequent impairment treated by therapists in the United States. This study will test efficacy of a promising technique in reducing arm disability and increasing function, thereby improving outcomes and health, reducing care costs, for community dwelling patients with stroke-induced hemiparesis.

Conditions

• Hemiparesis

Interventions

• Mental Practice Group Behavioral

  Intervention Desc:	Patients are administered rehabilitative therapy targeting their affected arms on 3 days/week during a ten week period. Directly after the therapy session, they participate in targeted mental practice session in which they cognitively rehearse the movement that they just physically practiced.
  ARM 1:	Kind: Experimental
  	Label: Experimental: Mental Practice Group

• Active Control Group Behavioral

  Intervention Desc:	Individuals assigned to this group are administrated rehabilitative therapy targeting their affected arms in half four increments, occurring 3 days/week for 10 weeks. They also are administered an intervention in which they listen to a relaxation tape and/or tapes in which they receive instructions on exercises and information on stroke care.
  ARM 1:	Kind: Experimental
  	Label: Active Comparator: Active Control Group

Trial Design

• Allocation: Randomized
• Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
• Purpose: Treatment
• Endpoint: Efficacy Study
• Intervention: Parallel Assignment

Sponsors

• Stephen Page Lead