Upper Limb Motor Improvement after Traumatic Brain Injury: Systematic Review of Interventions

Abstract

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of adult morbidity and mortality. Individuals with TBI have impairments in both cognitive and motor domains. Motor improvements post-TBI are attributable to adaptive neuroplasticity and motor learning. Majority of the studies focus on remediation of balance and mobility issues. There is limited understanding on the use of interventions for upper limb (UL) motor improvements in this population. Objective We examined the evidence regarding the effectiveness of different interventions to augment UL motor improvement after a TBI. Methods We systematically examined the evidence published in English from 1990–2020. The modified Downs and Black checklist helped assess study quality (total score: 28). Studies were classified as excellent: 24–28, good: 19–23, fair: 14–18, and poor: ≤13 in quality. Effect sizes helped quantify intervention effectiveness. Results Twenty-three studies were retrieved. Study quality was excellent (n = 1), good (n = 5) or fair (n = 17). Interventions used included strategies to decrease muscle tone (n = 6), constraint induced movement therapy (n = 4), virtual reality gaming (n = 5), non-invasive stimulation (n = 3), arm motor ability training (n = 1), stem cell transplant (n = 1), task-oriented training (n = 2), and feedback provision (n = 1). Motor impairment outcomes included Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale, and kinematic outcomes (error and movement straightness). Activity limitation outcomes included Wolf Motor Function Test and Motor Activity Log (MAL). Effect sizes for majority of the interventions ranged from medium (.5-.79) to large (≥.8). Only ten studies included retention testing. Conclusion There is preliminary evidence that using some interventions may enhance UL motor improvement after a TBI. Answers to emergent questions can help select the most appropriate interventions in this population.

Innovative Technologies in the Neurorehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

“…In fact, it is evident that by using this tool, several very intense types of exercise can be adapted to achieve specific outcomes for TBI patients. In fact, VR can be used to provide the patient with repetitive, task-oriented training due to the multisensorial feedback, thus potentiating the use-dependent plasticity of the sensory-motor cortex [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. Patients interacting with a virtual environment could be trained in a more ecological way and can perform all those activities that are dangerous to be performed in real life.…”