TheraBracelet Stimulation During Task‐Practice Therapy to Improve Upper Extremity Function After Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Background Peripheral sensory stimulation has been used in conjunction with upper extremity movement therapy to increase therapy‐induced motor gains in patients with stroke. The limitation is that existing sensory stimulation methods typically interfere with natural hand tasks and thus are administered prior to therapy, requiring patients’ time commitment. To address this limitation, we developed TheraBracelet. This novel stimulation method provides subthreshold (ie, imperceptible) vibratory stimulation to the wrist and can be used during hand tasks/therapy without interfering with natural hand tasks. Objective The objective was to determine the feasibility of using TheraBracelet during therapy to augment motor recovery after stroke. Design The design was a triple‐blinded pilot randomized controlled trial. Methods Twelve chronic stroke survivors were assigned to the treatment or control group. All participants completed 2‐hour task practice therapy sessions thrice weekly for 2 weeks. Both groups wore a small vibrator on the paretic wrist, which was turned on to provide TheraBracelet stimulation for the treatment group and turned off for the control group to provide sham stimulation. Outcome measures (Box and Block Test [BBT] and Wolf Motor Function Test [WMFT]) were obtained at baseline, 6 days after therapy, and at follow‐up 19 days after therapy. Results The intervention was feasible with no adverse events. The treatment group significantly improved their BBT scores after therapy and at follow‐up compared with baseline, whereas the control group did not. For WMFT, the group × time interaction was short of achieving significance. Large effect sizes were obtained (BBT d = 1.43, WMFT d = 0.87). No indication of desensitization to TheraBracelet stimulation was observed. Limitations The limitation was a small sample size. Conclusions TheraBracelet could be a promising therapy adjuvant for upper extremity recovery after stroke.