Original Article

A study of the training method of sub-acute stroke patients of the upper extremity: decision tree analysis

Hiroyuki Miyasaka, OTR, PhD, Hitoshi Ohnishi, OTR, BA, Chikage Hieda, OTR, BA, Kenji Kawakami, RPT, MS, Genichi Tanino, RPT, MS, Yuko Okuyama, RPT, Yutaka Tomita, RE, PhD, Shigeru Sonoda, MD, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 5: 117-124, 2014

Objective: We examined how differences in training method affected the improvement of paralysis.
Methods: One hundred and thirty-one patients with stroke were admitted to Nanakuri Sanatorium, Fujita Health University. We divided the patients randomly into five groups, mirror therapy (MT), integrated volitional control electrical stimulation (IVES), therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES), repetitive facilitative exercises (RFEs), and conventional training (control group). Each group performed an assigned exercise for 20 minutes. Decision tree analysis was performed to identify the effectiveness of rehabilitation training for improving motor function. The predicted variables were the FMA upper extremity items at 4 weeks. The explanatory variables were age, days after stroke onset, treatment technique, and evaluation test results.
Results: When patients had scores of FMA-finger < 3 and FMA-shoulder < 3, MT, TES, and RFEs were chosen as favorable determinants. If FMA-finger >- and FMA-wrist < 8, MT, IVES, TES, and RFEs were chosen as favorable determinants.
Conclusion: Decision tree analysis appears to be a valid mean for deciding the best rehabilitation method for sub-acute stroke patients.

Key words: stroke, upper limb hemiparesis training, decision tree analysis

Contents (volume 5)