Effect of Early Mid-Range Functional Training for Upper Limb in Improving Upper Limb Function and Quality of Life Among Patients with Acute Stroke

Stroke ranks among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and impaired upper-limb function after stroke severely disrupts daily activities and wellbeing. Acute-phase rehabilitation may exploit enhanced neuroplasticity. Objective: To assess the feasibility, safety and preliminary effect of early mid-range functional training with sling suspension therapy on upper-limb function, spasticity and stroke-specific quality of life in acute stroke patients. In a prospective single-group pre-post pilot study, 45 consecutively enrolled acute stroke patients (aged 50–75 years; ischaemic and haemorrhagic) underwent a 12-week programme of mid-range functional training with sling suspension therapy in gravity-eliminated positions, twice daily, 6 days weekly, 45 minutes per session. Upper-limb function (DASH; primary outcome), stroke-specific quality of life (SSQOL) and spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS; secondary outcomes) were measured at baseline (Day 1), mid-intervention (Day 45) and follow-up (Day 90), using repeated-measures analysis with Bonferroni-corrected comparisons, effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All 45 participants finished the protocol (0% attrition). DASH fell from 76.0 to 36.0 (95% CI 30.8–49.2; d = 1.31); SSQOL rose from 114.5 to 172.5 (95% CI 49.3–66.7; d = 2.00); MAS declined from 2.55 to 0.95 (95% CI 1.09–2.11; d = 0.94); all p < 0.0001. FThis uncontrolled pilot study suggests early mid-range functional training with sling suspension therapy is feasible, well tolerated and linked to better function, quality of life and reduced spasticity; spontaneous recovery cannot be excluded, so findings warrant a randomised controlled trial.