Effect of Task-Oriented Training on Upper Extremity Function for Patients with Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Tetraplegia that results from cervical injury is the most frequent neurologic category after spinal cord injury (SCI) and causes substantial disability. Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) is a shock or a penetrating injury to the head that disrupts the brain function leading to various impairments including upper limb dysfunction. Improving arm and hand function after these injuries is a major priority of rehabilitation due to its reflect on mobility, independency and quality of life. Advances of treatment approaches and technology have been introduced in research work; one of these approaches is task-oriented training (TOT). Aim of Study:This systematic review aims to find out the evidence on the effectiveness of TOT to improve the upper limb functions among patients with SCI and TBI.Material and Methods: This systematic review performed using the PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) search engines and the associated keywords. The methodological quality assessment was done by two reviewers using PEDro scale. Random effect model and standardized mean differences were used for metaanalyses. Results:The search identified 8,424 records, of which only two trials were selected as eligible. Quality appraisal revealed the trials were of good or fair quality. Conclusion:This systematic review suggests moderate level of evidence for non-significant effect of Task-oriented training in improving upper limb function and hand dexterity in patients with spinal cord injuries and further primary research is recommended for both SCI and TBI.

The improvement of fibrinogen, Ang-1, VEGF, BDNF in post-operative patients with brain trauma through target task-oriented phase training

“…Target task-oriented phase training is a training mode based on the training tasks and targets of each phase of disease rehabilitation, which is in line with the process of post-traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in each stage and strictly follows the principle of sequential training (9). The post-operative rehabilitation effect of patients with brain trauma is reflected in the improvement of their condition through surgical treatment, gradually assisting in the recovery of neurological and limb functions through effective and scientific training modes.…”

“…It considers the unique characteristics of the patient's recovery stages and formulates specific training objectives and measures for each recovery phase. This approach is pivotal in promoting overall functional recovery (5).…”

Neurofunctional Intervention Approaches

“…This approach preliminary study concluded that it should also be feasible and safe to be applied in persons with multiple sclerosis with moderate mobility impairments [103,104]. The rigorous systematic review concluded that there is a little significance in improving the upper limb function and hand dexterity in patients with spinal cord injury thus the primary research was recommended for further re-evaluation of the effectiveness of the approach [105].…”