Arm Motor Recovery After Ischemic Stroke: A Focus on Clinically Distinct Trajectory Groups

Danielle K Kline; David J Lin; Alison Cloutier; Kelly Sloane; Kristin Parlman; Jessica Ranford; Matthew Picard-Fraser; Annie B Fox; Leigh R Hochberg; Teresa Jacobson Kimberley

doi:10.1097/NPT.0000000000000350

Arm Motor Recovery After Ischemic Stroke: A Focus on Clinically Distinct Trajectory Groups

J Neurol Phys Ther. 2021 Apr 1;45(2):70-78. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000350.

Authors

Danielle K Kline¹, David J Lin, Alison Cloutier, Kelly Sloane, Kristin Parlman, Jessica Ranford, Matthew Picard-Fraser, Annie B Fox, Leigh R Hochberg, Teresa Jacobson Kimberley

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physical Therapy (D.K.K., M.P.-F., T.J.K.) and Center for Interprofessional Studies and Innovation (A.B.F.), MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Department of Neurology (D.J.L., A.C., K.S., L.R.H.), Divisions of Neurocritical Care and Stroke, Department of Neurology (D.J.L., L.R.H.), Department of Physical Therapy (K.P.), and Department of Occupational Therapy (J.R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; VA RR&D Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery, Providence, Rhode Island (L.R.H.); and School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (L.R.H.).

PMID: 33707402
DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000350

Abstract

Background and purpose: Recovery of arm function poststroke is highly variable with some people experiencing rapid recovery but many experiencing slower or limited functional improvement. Current stroke prediction models provide some guidance for clinicians regarding expected motor outcomes poststroke but do not address recovery rates, complicating discharge planning. This study developed a novel approach to defining recovery groups based on arm motor recovery trajectories poststroke. In addition, between-group differences in baseline characteristics and therapy hours were explored.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted where 40 participants with arm weakness were assessed 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after an ischemic stroke. Arm recovery trajectory groups were defined on the basis of timing of changes in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), at least the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), 1 week to 6 weeks or 6 weeks to 6 months. Three recovery trajectory groups were defined: Fast (n = 19), Extended (n = 12), and Limited (n = 9). Between-group differences in baseline characteristics and therapy hours were assessed. Associations between baseline characteristics and group membership were also determined.

Results: Three baseline characteristics were associated with trajectory group membership: FMA-UE, NIH Stroke Scale, and Barthel Index. The Fast Recovery group received the least therapy hours 6 weeks to 6 months. No differences in therapy hours were observed between Extended and Limited Recovery groups at any time points.

Discussion and conclusions: Three clinically relevant recovery trajectory groups were defined using the FMA-UE MCID. Baseline impairment, overall stroke severity, and dependence in activities of daily living were associated with group membership and therapy hours differed between groups. Stratifying individuals by recovery trajectory early poststroke could offer additional guidance to clinicians in discharge planning.

(See Supplemental Digital Content 1 for Video Abstract, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A337.).

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03485040.

Publication types

Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

Activities of Daily Living
Arm
Brain Ischemia* / complications
Humans
Ischemic Stroke*
Recovery of Function
Retrospective Studies
Stroke Rehabilitation*
Stroke* / complications
Upper Extremity

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03485040