RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .
Short-Term Effects of Practice With Trunk Restraint on Reaching Movements in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Controlled Trial
Background and Purpose — In prehension tasks with objects placed within arm ’s reach , patients with hemiparesis caused by stroke use excessive trunk movement to compensate for arm motor impairments . Compensatory trunk movements may improve motor function in the short term but may limit arm recovery in the long term . Previous studies showed that restriction of trunk movements during reach-to-grasp movements results in immediate increases in active arm joint ranges and improvement in interjoint coordination . To evaluate the potential of this technique as a therapeutic intervention , we compared the effects of short-term reach-to-grasp training ( 60-trial training session ) with and without physical trunk restraint on arm movement patterns in patients with chronic hemiparesis . Methods — A total of 28 patients with hemiparesis were assigned to 2 groups : 1 group practice d reach-to-grasp movements during which compensatory movement of the trunk was prevented by a harness ( trunk restraint ) , and the second group practice d the same task while verbally instructed not to move the trunk ( control ) .  Kinematics of reaching and grasping an object placed within arm ’s length were recorded before , immediately after , and 24 hours after training . Results — The trunk restraint group used more elbow extension , less anterior trunk displacement , and had better interjoint coordination than the control group after training , and range of motion was maintained 24 hours later in only the trunk restraint group . Conclusions — Restriction of compensatory trunk movements during practice may lead to greater improvements in reach-to-grasp movements in patients with chronic stroke than practice alone , and longer-term effects of this intervention should be evaluated
RESULTS Studies of task-related training showed benefits for functional outcome compared with traditional therapies .
Active use of task-oriented training with stroke survivors will lead to improvements in functional outcomes and overall health-related quality of life .
CONCLUSION Generally , task-oriented rehabilitation proved to be more effective .
Many interventions are feasible for nurses and can be performed in a ward or at home .
AIM This paper is a report of a review conducted to provide an overview of the evidence in the literature on task-oriented training of stroke survivors and its relevance in daily nursing practice .
BACKGROUND Stroke is the second leading cause of death and one of the leading causes of adult disability in the Western world .
The use of neurodevelopmental treatment in the daily nursing care of stroke survivors does not improve clinical outcomes .
Nurses are therefore exploring other forms of rehabilitation intervention , including task-oriented rehabilitation .
Despite the growing number of studies showing evidence on task-oriented interventions , recommendations for daily nursing practice are lacking .