A randomized controlled trial of Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy on the recovery of arm function in acute stroke patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy (Perfetti's method) vis-à-vis conventional occupational therapy in the recovery of arm function after acute stroke. Prospective randomized controlled trial. Two rehabilitation centers in Bangkok. Forty first-time acute stroke patients without severe cognitive or language impairment. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups; one was treated using Perfetti's method and the other using conventional occupational therapy. Each group underwent therapy for 30 minutes, five times a week for four weeks. The primary variable was arm function as assessed by the Action Research Arm Test; secondary variables were the extended Barthel Index and the box and block test score. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at the end of treatment for any variable. There was no evidence of a difference between Cognitive Sensory Motor Training Therapy of Perfetti's method and conventional occupational therapy with respect to the restoration of hand and arm function after a stroke. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.