Sensory Retraining of the Lower Limb After Acute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Abstract Lynch EA, Hillier SL, Stiller K, Campanella RR, Fisher PH. Sensory retraining of the lower limb after acute stroke: a randomized controlled pilot trial. Objective To determine the effects of a sensory retraining protocol on sensation, postural control, and gait in acute stroke subjects. Design Randomized controlled pilot trial. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Participants Twenty-one subjects with sensory deficits in the feet, undergoing rehabilitation for stroke. Intervention Sensory retraining of the more affected lower limb versus relaxation (sham intervention). Main Outcome Measures Light touch at the sole of the foot (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments), proprioception (Distal Proprioception Test), postural control (Berg Balance Scale), and gait (timed, Iowa Level of Assistance Scale). Results Significant improvements ( P