The Effectiveness of Accelerated Skill Acquisition Program for Upper Extremity Motor Training in Bilateral Stroke

The bilateral stroke is an added challenge for functional recovery. The evidence of effective therapy intervention for bilateral stroke is rare. A protocol of 30 hours (5 hours/week for 6 weeks) of accelerated skill acquisition program (ASAP) has been administered to a patient with bilateral ischemic middle cerebral artery syndrome at sub-acute stage. Two sessions per day (separately for right and left) were administered. Nepali Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) was used to evaluate performance time before and after the treatment. The performance time on Wolf Motor Function Test got largely and consistently reduced on all items of both extremities. There was improvement in grip strength and weight lifting items. Bilateral hand items and turn key in lock were successfully completed after the treatment. Thus, the accelerated skill acquisition program yielded large reduction in performance time, improved hand skills and demonstrated functional improvement of both upper extremities in individual with bilateral stroke.