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 .
Sitting training early after stroke improves sitting ability and quality and carries over to standing up but not to walking: a randomised trial.
QUESTION What is the effect of a sitting training protocol in people early after stroke on sitting ability and quality , and does it carry over to mobility ? DESIGN R and omised placebo-controlled trial with concealed allocation , assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis . PARTICIPANTS Twelve individuals who had a stroke less than three months previously and were able to sit unsupported . INTERVENTION The experimental group completed a 2-week sitting training protocol that involved practising reaching tasks beyond arm 's length . The control group completed a 2-week sham sitting training protocol that involved practising cognitive-manipulative tasks within arm 's length . OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was sitting ability ( maximum reach distance ) . Secondary outcomes were sitting quality ( reach movement time and peak vertical force through affected foot during reaching ) and carry over to mobility ( peak vertical force through affected foot during st and ing up and walking speed during 10 m Walk Test ) . Outcome measures were taken before and after training and six months later . RESULTS After 2 weeks ' training , the experimental group had increased their maximum reach distance by 0.17 m ( 95 % CI 0.12 to 0.21 ) , decreased their movement time by 0.5 s ( 95 % CI -0.8 to -0.2 ) , increased their peak vertical force through the affected foot during reaching by 13 % of body weight ( 95 % CI 6 to 20 ) and increased their peak vertical force through the affected foot during st and ing up by 21 % of body weight ( 95 % CI 14 to 28 ) compared with the control group . After 6 months , significant between-group differences were maintained for maximum reach distance and peak vertical force through the affected foot during st and ing up . CONCLUSIONS The sitting training protocol was both feasible and effective in improving sitting and st and ing up early after stroke and somewhat effective six months later
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 .