Dosage and predictors of arm practice during inpatient stroke rehabilitation: an inception cohort study

To describe the amount/type of arm practice completed by stroke survivors during inpatient rehabilitation; and establish predictors of arm practice dose achieved.

Inception cohort study including 99 consecutively admitted stroke survivors. Amount (repetitions) and type of arm practice completed during inpatient rehabilitation and possible predictors of dose were recorded.

Average length-of-stay was 36.9 days (standard deviation (SD) = 30.0, median = 28.0, interquartile range = 39.5) and days of therapy provided was 11.1 days (SD = 13.3, median = 6.0, IQR = 12.0). Mean number of arm practice sessions completed overall was 12.8 (SD = 15.3, median = 7.0, interquartile range = 15.0), or 2.0 sessions per week (SD = 1.5, median = 1.5, interquartile range = 1.7). Mean repetitions of practice completed per therapy day was 86.1 (SD = 76.5, median = 68.5, interquartile range = 88.2). Variation in practice dose was best explained by age (-1.3 repetitions per year of age, p = 0.04) and cognitive impairment (-34.9 repetitions, p = 0.03). In participants without cognitive impairment (n = 73) variation in dose was best explained by stroke severity (modified Rankin Sale = 5, -48.4 repetitions, p = 0.01), and the inability to grasp/release (Box and Block Test = 0, +48.3 repetitions, p = 0.03).

The amount of arm practice completed was low. Daily sessions were often not provided as recommended in clinical guidelines. Clinicians should focus on strategies to increase intensity and opportunities for arm practice.Implications for RehabilitationDose (repetitions) of arm practice varied greatly during inpatient rehabilitation.Number of arm rehabilitation sessions provided was lower than levels recommended in clinical guidelines.Therapists and researchers should focus on strategies to increase amount of therapy and opportunities for arm practice.