How do somatosensory deficits in the arm and hand relate to upper limb impairment, activity, and participation problems after stroke? A systematic review.

Background The association between somatosensory impairments and outcome after stroke remains unclear. Purpose The aim of this study was to systematically review the available literature on the relationship between somatosensory impairments in the upper limb and outcome after stroke. Data Sources The electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception until July 2013. Study Selection Studies were included if adult patients with stroke (minimum n=10) were examined with reliable and valid measures of somatosensation in the upper limb to investigate the relationship with upper limb impairment, activity, and pa…

Walking Training and Functioning Among Elderly Persons With Stroke: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Abstract Objective To determine if 65- to 85-year-old persons who had a stroke within the previous 3-36 months can improve functioning and quality of life during walking rehabilitation. Design Prospective cohort study with 6-month follow-up. Setting Three inpatient rehabilitation centers and one outpatient rehabilitation center. Participants A total of 147 persons who had sustained a stroke. Intervention The multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention consisted of inpatient (20 days) or outpatient (18 days) rehabilitation with follow-up. Rehabilitation included walking exercises with and without body-weight support and conventional physiotherapy. After the rehabilitation period, participa…

Evidence for the effectiveness of walking training on walking and self-care after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: To examine the effect of randomized controlled trials of walking training on walking and self-care in patients with stroke. Data sources: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PEDro, OTSeeker, Central, and manual search to the end of August 2012. Study selection: English, Finnish, Swedish, or German language walking training randomized controlled trials for patients over 18 years of age with stroke. Data synthesis: The meta-analyses included 38 randomized controlled trials from 44 reports. There was high evidence that in the subacute stage of stroke, specific walking training resulted in improved walking speed and distance compared with traditional walking training of the same intensity. In t…

How do somatosensory deficits relate to upper limb impairment, activity and participation problems after stroke? A systematic review