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First published on October 1, 2009
Physical Therapy
DOI: 10.2522/ptj.20080402
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Research Reports

A Functional Threshold for Long-Term Use of Hand and Arm Function Can Be Determined: Predictions From a Computational Model and Supporting Data From the Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) Trial

Nicolas Schweighofer, Cheol E. Han, Steven L. Wolf, Michael A. Arbib and Carolee J. Winstein

N. Schweighofer, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry, and Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California, 1540 E Alcazar, CHP 155, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (USA).
C.E. Han, MS, is a PhD student, Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California.
S.L. Wolf, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FAHA, is Professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine, and Associate Professor, Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine; Professor, Health and Elder Care, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University; and Senior Research Scientist, VA Rehabilitation R&D Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
M.A. Arbib, PhD, is Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California.
C.J. Winstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA, is Professor and Director of Research, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry, and Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

schweigh{at}usc.edu

Background: Although spontaneous use of the more-affected arm and hand after stroke is an important determinant of participation and quality of life, a number of patients exhibit decreases in use following rehabilitative therapy. A previous neurocomputational model predicted that if the dose of therapy is sufficient to bring performance above a certain threshold, training can be stopped.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that there exists a threshold for function of the paretic arm and hand after therapy. If function is above this threshold, spontaneous use will increase in the months following therapy. In contrast, if function is below this threshold, spontaneous use will decrease.

Methods: New computer simulations are presented showing that changes in arm use following therapy depend on a performance threshold. This prediction was tested by reanalyzing the data from the Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) trial, phase III randomized controlled trial in which participants received constraint-induced movement therapy for 2 weeks and were tested both 1 week and 1 year after therapy.

Results: The results demonstrate that arm and hand function measured immediately after therapy predicts, on average, the long-term change of arm use. Above a functional threshold, use improves. Below this threshold, use decreases.

Limitations: The reanalysis of the EXCITE trial data provides a "group" threshold above which a majority of patients, but not all, improve spontaneously. A goal of future research is to provide the means to assess when patients reach their individual threshold.

Conclusion: Understanding of the causal and nonlinear relationship between limb function and daily use is important for the future development of cost-effective interventions and prevention of "rehabilitation in vain."


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