[RESULTS] There was a trend of mean difference ( MD ) for the experimental group to have more grip strength by six ( MD 4.0 N , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) -0.8 to 8.8 , p = 0.10 ) and 12 ( MD 4.1 N , 95 % CI -2.1 to 10.3 , p = 0.19 ) weeks , and to have a higher quantity of hand function according to carers ' perception by six ( MD 4.5 N , 95 % CI -0.7 to 9.7 , p = 0.09 ) and strengthened by 12 ( MD 6.4 , 95 % CI 0.6 to 12.3 , p = 0.03 ) weeks than the control group .