The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) system for persons with Parkinson's disease: a psychometric study.

BACKGROUND: The Perceive, Recall, Plan & Perform (PRPP) system of task analysis might be feasible to evaluate occupational performance and information processing strategies for persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). AIM: To evaluate: (1) the random error between raters (inter-rater study), (2) the random error within raters (intra-rater study), and (3) the internal consistency of the PRPP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: (1) video-recorded performance of meaningful activities of 13 Dutch persons with PD, scored independently by 38 Dutch PRPP trained occupational therapists were included in the analysis. The random error between raters was analyzed with two-way random Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC). (2) Four videos were scored twice by 30 raters (6 week time interval). The random error within raters was analyzed using one-way random ICC's. (3) Internal consistency study: data of 190 persons with PD were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha (α). RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability ranged from slight to moderate (ICC= 0.06-0.43). The mean intra-rater reliability ranged from moderate to almost perfect (ICC= 0.60-0.83). Internal consistency is good (α = 0.60-0.86). CONCLUSION: The limited inter-rater reliability but adequate intra-rater reliability and internal consistency show the feasibility of the PRPP when used for persons with PD. Implications for reliable clinical use are discussed.

The effect of arm support combined with rehabilitation games on upper-extremity function in subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Use of rehabilitation technology, such as (electro)mechanical devices or robotics, could partly relieve the increasing strain on stroke rehabilitation caused by an increasing prevalence of stroke. Arm support (AS) training showed improvement of unsupported arm function in chronic stroke. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of weight-supported arm training combined with computerized exercises on arm function and capacity, compared with dose-matched conventional reach training in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: In a single-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, 70 subacute stroke patients received 6 weeks of training with either an AS device combined with computerized exercises or dose-matched conventional training (CON). Arm function was evaluated pretraining and posttraining by Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM), maximal reach distance, Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS), and arm pain via Visual Analogue Scale, in addition to perceived motivation by Intrinsic Motivation Inventory posttraining. RESULTS: FM and SULCS scores and reach distance improved significantly within both groups. These improvements and experienced pain did not differ between groups. The AS group reported higher interest/enjoyment during training than the CON group. CONCLUSIONS: AS training with computerized exercises is as effective as conventional therapy dedicated to the arm to improve arm function and activity in subacute stroke rehabilitation, when applied at the same dose.