The COMbined Physical and somatoSEnsory (COMPoSE) training intervention to improve upper limb recovery after stroke: a single-case experimental study

The COMbined Physical and somatoSEnsory (COMPoSE) program is a novel intervention combining training of somatosensory and motor variables synchronously to improve upper limb recovery after stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COMPoSE on the upper limbs after stroke, using a single-case experimental study design. Five people with chronic stroke (62–89 years) completed the COMPoSE intervention trial (15 h, 10 sessions). Effects on participants were assessed using laboratory measures (maximal tactile pressures) and clinical motor and somatosensory measures. Notable improvements were observed in measures of maximal tactile pressures in four out of five participants between baseline and post-intervention (range of change index: 12.0–62.5%; change in level: 2.3–10.6 KPa). Also, improvements were observed in the Wolf motor function test (score and time), box and block test, motor activity log, grip strength, wrist position sense test, tactile discrimination test, stroke impact scale at post-intervention (range of change index: 3.0–50.3%) compared to baseline. Our findings suggest that COMPoSE could be beneficial to people with mild to severe somatosensory and motor deficits after stroke. The delivery of the COMPoSE intervention could be tailored to individual needs to maximize somatosensory and motor improvements in the upper limb after stroke. This study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615001222538. The COMPoSE intervention offers potential benefits to improve upper limb function after stroke with important implications for rehabilitation.The standardized training matrix facilitated the delivery of the intervention to optimize its effects on somatosensory, motor and functional deficits of the upper limb after stroke.It is useful to conduct an assessment of the deficits with regards to the somatosensory and motor variables prior to the start of the intervention to facilitate tailoring of the training matrix and personalization of the training approach according to the needs of the participant. The COMPoSE intervention offers potential benefits to improve upper limb function after stroke with important implications for rehabilitation. The standardized training matrix facilitated the delivery of the intervention to optimize its effects on somatosensory, motor and functional deficits of the upper limb after stroke. It is useful to conduct an assessment of the deficits with regards to the somatosensory and motor variables prior to the start of the intervention to facilitate tailoring of the training matrix and personalization of the training approach according to the needs of the participant.