Title : Effects of dexteria app therapy on hand function in subacute stroke survivors
Abstract:
Background: Stroke is a neurological condition characterised by acute focal injury due to infarction or haemorrhage. Post stroke impairment of hand dexterity is very common and return of hand function is an important rehabilitation goal for functional independence. Newer therapy options like Dexteria app therapy provides task-oriented approach allowing intensive training and repetitions which could prove to be beneficial for improving fine motor function. This study assessed the effect of Dexteria app therapy in comparison to conventional hand therapy in improving hand function in subacute stroke survivors.
Methods: Twenty-six subacute stroke survivors with Brunnstrom stage II and above of hand recovery were randomly divided into two groups- Group A (conventional therapy n=13) and Group B (Dexteria app therapy n=13). Both groups received 60 minutes of therapy for 21 sessions over a period of 30 days. All participants were assessed on Brunnstrom hand recovery voluntary control grading and Jebsen Hand Function Test before starting and after completion of 21 sessions of intervention. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Stroke survivors in both groups improved in hand function post treatment. Inter-group comparison between groups A and B using the Wilcoxon rank sum test showed Dexteria app therapy group was statistically significantly higher than the conventional therapy group in Jebson hand function test along with its components with Z=-3.0 and P=0.00.
Conclusion: Findings of this study showed significant improvement in subacute stroke survivors who received Dexteria app therapy over participants who were administered with conventional therapy. Stroke survivors in Dexteria app therapy group improved in hand precision and hand manipulation component of hand function owing to the multisensory model approach and intensive training nature.
