Can body awareness training improve recovery following stroke: A study to assess feasibility and preliminary efficacy

Background Impairments in body awareness are common after stroke and are associated with decreased participation and performance in everyday activities. Objectives To explore the feasibility and safety of a body awareness program after stroke, and identify the preliminary efficacy of class-based lessons compared to home-based lessons on sensation, body awareness, motor impairment and quality of life. Methods A two-armed pilot randomized controlled trial with a nested qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Individuals with a diagnosis of stroke (at least three months post injury) were randomized to either class-based face-to-face body awareness lessons or home-based individually performed body awareness lessons. Outcome measures were safety, feasibility, sensation, body awareness, motor impairment, self-efficacy and quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were used to allow greater exploration and understanding of participants’ experience of the program. Results Twenty participants were randomized, 16 participants completed the program. Feasibility was greater in the class-based group. No adverse events were detected. The class-based group led to improvement in body awareness (p = 0.002), quality of life (p = 0.002), and the arm (p = 0.025) and leg (p = 0.005) motor impairment scores. Qualitative data similarly indicated that the class-based group experienced a stronger sense of awareness, achievement and connection than the home-based group. Conclusions Body awareness training was safe, feasible and acceptable in people with stroke. Individuals in the class-based group showed greater benefit compared to those receiving home-based therapy.