Effects of occupational therapy on upper extremity for patients with stroke: a systematic review using WHO-FICs / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo construct a framework of PICO for occupational therapy to improve upper extremity function in stroke patients based on World Health Organization Family of International Classifications (WHO-FICs), and to analyze the functional outcome of major occupational therapies to improve upper extremity in stroke. MethodsUsing the WHO-FICs framework, the databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI and SinoMed were searched for literature related to occupational therapy interventions for upper extremity function in stroke patients from the date of establishment to October, 2022, and the contents of the literature were extracted for a systematic review. ResultsTen randomized controlled trials from six countries were finally included, involving 382 participants (≥ 18 years old). The literatures were mainly from the fields of rehabilitation medicine, physics and rehabilitation medicine, neuroscience, bioengineering medicine, occupational therapy and other research fields, and were published mainly after 2013. The quality of the included literatures was evaluated using Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale with a mean score of 7.5. Based on the WHO-FICs framework, the types of diseases included intracerebral haemorrhage (8B00), cerebral ischemic stroke (8B11), subarachnoid hemorrhage (8B01), abnormality of tonus and reflex (MB47), and hemiplegia (MB53). The main dysfunctions of the upper extremity after stroke included mobility of joint functions (b710), stability of joint functions (b715), muscle power functions (b730), muscle tone functions (b735), motor reflex functions (b750), control of voluntary movement functions (b760), involuntary movement functions (b765). Activity and participation included activity of upper limb, such as lifting and carrying objects (d430), hand and arm use (d445), and fine hand use (d440); and the daily life activities and social participation, such as self-care (d510-d570), domestic life (d610-d660), major life areas (d810-d879), community, social and civic life (d910-d950). Therapeutic interventions on body functions included electrical stimulation of muscle functions (MU2.SC.BP), assistance and guidance of exercise for involuntary movement reaction (MV2.PG.ZZ); therapeutic interventions involving activity and participation were training in lifting and carrying (SIA.PH.ZZ), training in fine hand use (SIG.PH.ZZ), exercises of arm and hand use (SIJ.PH.ZZ), self care (SM1-SMH), household tasks (SO2-SOD), and playing games (SXD.PH.ZZ); 15 to 60 minutes a time, three to ten times a week, for three to eight weeks, in hospital or at home. The outcomes of the intervention were divided into three levels. At the body function level, patients had improved neuromotor conduction function, reflex function, casual motor control, coordination and speed, joint mobility, and grip strength. At the activity and participation level, there were enhancements in upper limb mobility and speed, fine hand function and speed, frequency and quality of upper limb activity participation, and the capacities of daily living and reduced difficulty in daily activity tasks. In terms of whole functioning, patients had acquired quality of life and well-being and acquainted a feeling of pleasure and accomplishment. ConclusionA PICO framework was constructed for occupational therapy based on WHO-FICs. The health conditions included intracerebral haemorrhage, cerebral ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, abnormality of tonus and reflex, and hemiplegia. Upper extremity motor dysfunction mainly included dysfunction of voluntary motor control, low or hyperactive motor reflexes, abnormalities in muscle tone, impaired muscle coordination, poor stability of joint activities, and reduced muscle strength, etc. Activity limitation and participation restriction were manifested as functioning in the fields of arm and hand activity participation, fine manual activity, and activities of daily living and social participation. Therapeutic interventions at body function level included brain-computer interface-based functional electrical stimulation and unimanual mirror therapy; therapeutic interventions at activity and participation level included action observation training, bimanual mirror therapy, task-oriented training, bilateral arm training and upper extremity robotics training. The health and functional benefits included the improvements in upper extremity motor function, upper extremity mobility and participation levels, activities of daily living and social participation, and quality of life and well-being.