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Effectiveness of Sensory Discrimination Training When Delivered By Family Members: A Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Leeanne M. Carey*
Affiliation:
National Stroke Research Institute, Australia; La Trobe University, Australia. lcarey@nsri.org.au
Thomas A. Matyas
Affiliation:
National Stroke Research Institute, Australia; La Trobe University, Australia; University of Melbourne, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Leeanne Carey, Head, Division of Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, National Stroke Research Institute, 300 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg Heights VIC 3081, Australia.
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Abstract

The proportion of disabled stroke survivors is increasing. These people may experience loss of sensation that negatively impacts on performance and participation in daily activities. The value of adopting active approaches to rehabilitation is growing; however, high costs and demand over an extended period of time impose limits on therapist-based application. Informal carers and family members are a potential, low-cost resource for expanding the scope of rehabilitation across environments and over extended time periods. We systematically developed and established the effectiveness of an approach to retraining lost sensation and function in the hand that has positive outcomes in relation to the ability to feel everyday textures and objects and use the hand in daily tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether family members, as surrogate therapists, are able to effectively conduct the sensory training program in home environments. Three single-case quasi-experiments were conducted in which stroke survivors' spouses implemented the training program across touch or limb position sensations. We found positive treatment effects in all cases. These findings indicate that selected surrogate therapists (spouses) can successfully implement a program of sensory retraining when provided 2 to 3 hours of training and supervision by a qualified therapist.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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