NCT02890446

The Effects of Attentional Focus on Arm Training in Stroke

A Randomized Control Trial on the Effects of Attentional Focus on Motor Training of the Upper Extremity Using Robotics With Individuals After Chronic Stroke

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 33 (actual)
• Sponsor: New York Presbyterian Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study compares the effects of an internal versus an external focus of attention on motor training of the affected arm for individuals with stroke. Participants were randomly assigned to either the internal or external focus treatment groups and received 12 sessions of arm training.

Detailed description

Participants were randomized to one of two treatment groups and received upper arm reaching training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot (12 hourly sessions over four weeks). The external focus group received instructions specifically to pay attention to the task goal--hitting targets on the video game, while the internal focus group was instructed to pay attention to the movement of their arm motions (video game monitor was turned off). Both groups practiced the same arm reaching pattern and were matched for level of arm impairment and training dosage.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	upper arm training on the InMotion 2 shoulder robot	Both groups practiced shoulder and elbow exercises on a robotic arm device under an external focus or internal focus practice condition. Practiced arm reaching in a clock-like design to facilitate horizontal shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, adduction. 12 sessions--3 times a week for 4 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-05-01
• Primary completion: 2015-11-01
• Completion: 2015-11-01
• First posted: 2016-09-07
• Last updated: 2016-09-07