A comparison among Task Oriented Training with and without Bobath program on upper limb in stroke patients

Abstract

Background: Paralysis of the hand occurs acutely in up to 87% of all stroke survivors. Common rehabilitation approaches specifically developed for hemiparesis after stroke include Task Oriented Training (TOT) and Bobath program. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Task-Oriented Training combined with Bobath program and Task-Oriented Training alone on the function of upper extremity in post-stroke hemiparesis patients. Methods: In a Randomized Clinical Trial 16 participants with stroke allocated to either an intervention Task Oriented Training and Bobath program (A) or Task-Oriented Training alone (B) groups. Main outcome measures were the Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and the secondary outcome measures were the Barthel Index, and Grip Strength Test. Six participants received combination of Task-Oriented Training with Bobath program and 8 people received Task-Oriented Training alone for five weeks, three days a week. Results: We used the independent Sample t-test and repeated measures ANOVA to compare functional measures of upper limb within and between groups. Our results indicated that although each of combination and TOT programs showed comparable improvements in functional measures of the affected upper limb, no one of them had priority over another. Conclusion: Since stroke patients vary vastly on factors such as severity of impairments, learning styles and motivation it cannot be assumed that one approach will be more operative than others for all individuals at every stage of their recovery. Further research needs to find difference between rehabilitation approaches.

Keywords

• stroke
• hemiparesis
• upper extremity
• task-oriented training
• bobath program
• combination therapy