Pérez-Mármol, Jose ManuelGarcía-Ríos, M CarmenBarrero-Hernandez, Francisco JMolina-Torres, GuadalupeBrown, TedAguilar-Ferrándiz, María Encarnación2017-04-042017-04-042015-11-05Pérez-Mármol JM, García-Ríos MC, Barrero-Hernandez FJ, Molina-Torres G, Brown T, Aguilar-Ferrándiz ME. Functional rehabilitation of upper limb apraxia in poststroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015; 16:508http://hdl.handle.net/10668/2605Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial;BACKGROUND Upper limb apraxia is a common disorder associated with stroke that can reduce patients' independence levels in activities of daily living and increase levels of disability. Traditional rehabilitation programs designed to promote the recovery of upper limb function have mainly focused on restorative or compensatory approaches. However, no previous studies have been completed that evaluate a combined intervention method approach, where patients concurrently receive cognitive training and learn compensatory strategies for enhancing daily living activities. METHODS/DESIGN This study will use a two-arm, assessor-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial design, involving 40 patients who present a left- or right-sided unilateral vascular lesion poststroke and a clinical diagnosis of upper limb apraxia. Participants will be randomized to either a combined functional rehabilitation or a traditional health education group. The experimental group will receive an 8-week combined functional program at home, including physical and occupational therapy focused on restorative and compensatory techniques for upper limb apraxia, 3 days per week in 30-min intervention periods. The control group will receive a conventional health education program once a month over 8 weeks, based on improving awareness of physical and functional limitations and facilitating the adaptation of patients to the home. Study outcomes will be assessed immediately postintervention and at the 2-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be basic activities of daily living skills as assessed with the Barthel Index. Secondary outcome measures will include the following: 1) the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, 2) the Observation and Scoring of ADL-Activities, 3) the De Renzi Test for Ideational Apraxia, 4) the De Renzi Test for Ideomotor Apraxia, 5) Recognition of Gestures, 6) the Test of Upper Limb Apraxia (TULIA), and 7) the Quality of Life Scale For Stroke (ECVI-38). DISCUSSION This trial is expected to clarify the effectiveness of a combined functional rehabilitation approach compared to a conservative intervention for improving upper limb movement and function in poststroke patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trial Gov number NCT02199093 . The protocol registration was received 23 July 2014. Participant enrollment began on 1 May 2014. The trial is expected to be completed in March 2016.enApraxiaStrokeRehabilitation neurológicaProtocolos clínicosTerapia combinadaEvaluación de la discapacidadMétodo doble ciegoLateralidad funcionalActividad motoraTerapia ocupacionalModalidades de fisioterapiaRecuperación de la funciónEspañaAccidente cerebrovascularEncuestas y CuestionariosFactores de tiempoActividades cotidianasResultado del tratamientoProyectos de investigaciónMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::AdultMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::AgedMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::Aged::Aged, 80 and overMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Clinical ProtocolsMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Combined Modality TherapyMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Epidemiologic Research Design::Double-Blind MethodMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::FemaleMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena::Nervous System Physiological Phenomena::Dominance, Cerebral::Functional LateralityMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::MaleMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::Middle AgedMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena::Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena::Musculoskeletal Physiological Processes::Movement::Motor ActivityMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Rehabilitation::Occupational TherapyMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Physical Therapy ModalitiesMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Biological Phenomena::Recovery of FunctionMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Methods::Research DesignMedical Subject Headings::Geographicals::Geographic Locations::Europe::SpainMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nervous System Diseases::Central Nervous System Diseases::Brain Diseases::Cerebrovascular Disorders::StrokeMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Data Collection::QuestionnairesMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physical Phenomena::Time::Time FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Diagnosis::Prognosis::Treatment OutcomeMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Rehabilitation::Activities of Daily Livingresearch article26542104open access10.1186/s13063-015-1034-11745-6215PMC4636071