Targeted Remediation of the Ipsilesional Arm in Chronic Stroke

Does training of the less impaired ipsilesional arm lead to sustained improvements in motor performance in patients with chronic stroke with severe contralesional arm paresis?In this 2-site randomized clinical trial (n = 53), participants receiving ipsilesional arm training produced significantly greater motor performance improvements, measured by the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, than best practice contralesional therapy.Ipsilesional motor deficits are modifiable even years after stroke, supporting the ipsilesional arm as an important yet underrecognized rehabilitation target for individuals with severe hemiparesis who depend on that limb for daily independence.

Corresponding Author: Candice Maenza, PhD, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033 (cmaenza@pennstatehealth.psu.edu).

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