RESEARCH TYPE:
Quantitative study.
RESEARCH DESIGN:
Two group pre-test and post-test quasi experimental study design
SAMPLE SIZE:
10 Participants (5 experimental & 5 control group)
RESEARCH POPULATION:
Hemiparesis patients following stroke
SELECTION CRITERIA:
1. Patients with minimum 2+ GRADE in kendall’s grading for muscle
strength.
2. Patient must be able to understand and follow simple verbal
instructions.
3. MCA infarct
4. Age 20-60 Years.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
1.Those who have moderate to severe level of cognitive impairment.
2.Patients who are medically unstable.
3.Patients who have visual & hearing impairments
4.Any previous history of hand injuries.
5.Any evidence of recent alcohol or drug abuse or any other
psychological Illness.
INSTRUMENTS AND TOOL FOR DATA COLLECTION:
Action Research Arm Test
The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) is a reliable, valid measure of
arm motor status after stroke. This test has established value for
characterizing clinical state and for measuring spontaneous and therapy-
induced recovery. It assesses a client’s ability to handle objects differing
in size, weight and shape. Action research arm test has been used
widely clinically for the assessment of upper extremity function post
stroke and in various other conditions. Measurement of recovery after
stroke is becoming increasingly important with the advent of new
treatment options under investigation in stroke rehabilitation research.
The Action Research Arm Test scale was developed as the first
quantitative evaluative instrument for measuring motor stroke recovery,
based on an upper extremity test by Lyle. It is a well-designed, feasible
and efficient clinical examination method that has been tested widely in
the stroke population. Excellent interrater and intrarater reliability and
construct validity have been demonstrated. The scoring is based on the
movement performance quality and on the time limit. The maximum total
score of 57 indicates normal performance. The test takes approximately
10 minutes to administer and while no special training is necessary.
The test consists of 19 items grouped in subtests (grasp, grip, pinch, and
gross arm movement) and performance of each item is rated on a 4-
point scale ranging from 0 (no movement possible) to 3 (movement
performed normally). If subjects scores the maximum on the first, most
difficult item of each subtest, they are credited with having scored 3 on
all items of the subtest without having to be tested. If the patient scores
less than 3, then the second item is tested. This is the easiest item, and
if patients score 0 then they are unlikely to achieve a score above 0 for
the remainder of the items and are credited with a zero for the other
items and the assessor moves onto the next subtest.
The following materials are required for testing:
Chair without armrests
Table
Wooden blocks of various sizes
i) 10cm x 10cm x 10cm
ii) 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 7.5cm
iii) 5cm x 5cm x 5cm
iv) 2.5cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm
Cricket ball
Sharpening stone
Alloy tubes
Washer and bolt
2 Water glasses
Sharpening stone
Marbles
Ball bearings 6mm
Tin lid
