EFFECT OF THREE WEEKS OF TASK-ORIENTED TRAINING ON ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING IN ACUTE AND SUBACUTE STROKE: A PRE–POST EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Stroke can impair lower-limb motor performance and reduce independence in activities of daily living (ADLs). Task-oriented training uses repeated practice of meaningful functional activities. This study examined changes in ADL performance after a three-week task-oriented training programme in people with acute or subacute stroke. Methods: This pre–post experimental study recruited 19 participants by convenience sampling in the Mumbai Metropolitan area. Eligible participants were aged 40–60 years and within six months of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Training included chair/bed transfers, walking, stair climbing, and sit-to-stand practice for 30 minutes per session, four days per week for three weeks. ADL performance was assessed using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after training. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the paired MBI comparison; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 52.63 years (SD 5.85); 15 (78.9%) were male and four (21.1%) were female. Median MBI increased from 81 (IQR 12) before training to 84 (IQR 8) after training. Ten participants improved, nine had no change, and none had a lower score. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated a statistically significant increase (V = 55, p = 0.006); mean MBI increased from 80.53 (SD 9.71) to 83.26 (SD 8.63), a mean change of 2.74 points (SD 2.96). A valid paired post-intervention Fugl–Meyer lower-extremity score was not available. Conclusion: MBI scores improved over the three-week intervention period. Because this was a small, uncontrolled pre–post study, the change cannot be attributed to training alone. The effect on lower-limb motor impairment remains undetermined and requires verified pre- and post-intervention assessment.