Proprioceptive deficit is one of the common sensory impairments following stroke and has a negative impact on motor performance. However, evidence-based training procedures and cost-efficient training setups for patients with poststroke are still limited. We compared the effects of proprioceptive training versus nonspecific sensory stimulation on upper limb proprioception and motor function rehabilitation. In this multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 40 participants with poststroke hemiparesis were enrolled from 3 hospitals in China. Participants were assigned randomly to receive proprioceptive training involving passive and active movements with visual feedback (proprioceptive training group [PG]; n = 20 ) or nonspecific sensory stimulation (control group [CG]; n = 20 ) 20 times in four weeks. Each session lasted 30 minutes. A clinical assessor blinded to group assignment evaluated patients before and after the intervention. The primary outcome was the change in the motor subscale of the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE-M). Secondary outcomes were changes in box and block test (BBT), thumb localization test (TLT), the sensory subscale of the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE-S), and Barthel Index (BI). The results showed that the mean change scores of FMA-UE were significantly greater in the PG than in the CG ( p = 0.010 for FMA-UE-M, p = 0.033 for FMA-UE-S). The PG group was improved significantly in TLT ( p = 0.010 ) and BBT ( p = 0.027 ), while there was no significant improvement in TLT ( p = 0.083 ) and BBT ( p = 0.107 ) for the CG group. The results showed that proprioceptive training was effective in improving proprioception and motor function of the upper extremity in patients with poststroke. This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000037808).

Background An important reason for the difficulty in recovering sensorimotor dysfunction of the upper extremity in chronic stroke survivors, is the lack of sensory function, such as tactile and proprioception feedback. In clinical practice, single sensory training is only for the restoration of sensory function. Increasing evidence suggests that use of task-oriented training (TOT) is a useful approach to hand motor rehabilitation. However, neither approach is optimal since both methods are trained only for specific functional recovery. Our hypothesis is that multi-sensory feedback therapy (MSFT) combined with TOT has the potential to provide stimulating tasks to restore both sensory and motor functions. The objective of the trial is to investigate whether novel MSFT is more effective in improving arm sensorimotor function in chronic stroke phase than single TOT.Methods/Design: The study will be conducted as a multicenter, randomized, double blind controlled trial. Participants (n = 90) will be randomised into three groups to compare the effect of the multi-sensory feedback therapy group against task-oriented training group and conventional group. Participants will receive treatment at the same intensity (60 min, 5 days a week, 4 weeks, 20 hours total). Primary outcome measures for assessment of sensory function are the Semmes Weinstein monofilaments examination (SWME),two-point discrimination test (2PD) test. Secondary measures are the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)༌Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Blocks Test (BBT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7). Outcome mearsures will be evaluated at baseline, post treatment, and two months follow-up. All assessments will be conducted by trained assessors blinded to treatment allocation.Discussion This study will determine the acceptability and efficacy of the intervention on the hemiparetic upper limb, it may be promising tools for sensorimotor functional recovery after stroke.