Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Articles In Press
Back to the articles list |
Back to browse issues page
1- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
2- Department of Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
3- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
2- Department of Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
3- Department of Medicine, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
4- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Nursing Sciences and Allied Health, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
Abstract: (16 Views)
Introduction: Recovery of hand function following stroke is often incomplete despite standard physiotherapy. Brunnstrom’s recovery stages describe sequential motor recovery after stroke, but few studies have evaluated interventions targeted specifically to Brunnstrom stage III, when synergistic movements first appear. To evaluate the effects of a Brunnstrom stage-based hand rehabilitation program with conventional physiotherapy on hand function, strength, and dexterity in people with post-stroke hemiparesis
Methods: A single-centre randomized controlled study was conducted at a tertiary rehabilitation facility. Forty participants with first-ever stroke in Brunnstrom stage III were randomly assigned either to an experimental group receiving stage-specific hand rehabilitation or to a control group undergoing conventional physiotherapy for 12 weeks (45 mins per session, 5 days per week). Outcome measures—grip strength (Jamar Dynamometer), pinch strength (Pinch Meter), Jebson Hand Function Test (JHFT), and Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT)—were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
Results: Repeated measure ANOVA showed significant group x time interactions (p<0.001) and substantial main effects of time (p<0.001). The experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in grip strength (mean Δ = +6.67 kg) and reduced JHFT completion time (–52 s) compared with controls. Dexterity measured by NHPT improved from 55.2 ± 3.9 s to 26.4 ± 2.0 s in the experimental group (p < 0.001).
Discussion: Brunnstrom stage–based hand rehabilitation significantly enhanced strength, dexterity, and hand function in post-stroke hemiparesis compared with conventional therapy. Stage-specific task-oriented training should be integrated into standard neurorehabilitation protocols.
Methods: A single-centre randomized controlled study was conducted at a tertiary rehabilitation facility. Forty participants with first-ever stroke in Brunnstrom stage III were randomly assigned either to an experimental group receiving stage-specific hand rehabilitation or to a control group undergoing conventional physiotherapy for 12 weeks (45 mins per session, 5 days per week). Outcome measures—grip strength (Jamar Dynamometer), pinch strength (Pinch Meter), Jebson Hand Function Test (JHFT), and Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT)—were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
Results: Repeated measure ANOVA showed significant group x time interactions (p<0.001) and substantial main effects of time (p<0.001). The experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in grip strength (mean Δ = +6.67 kg) and reduced JHFT completion time (–52 s) compared with controls. Dexterity measured by NHPT improved from 55.2 ± 3.9 s to 26.4 ± 2.0 s in the experimental group (p < 0.001).
Discussion: Brunnstrom stage–based hand rehabilitation significantly enhanced strength, dexterity, and hand function in post-stroke hemiparesis compared with conventional therapy. Stage-specific task-oriented training should be integrated into standard neurorehabilitation protocols.
Keywords: stroke rehabilitation, Brunnstrom stage, hand function, physiotherapy, randomized controlled trial
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (CC-By-NC 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
