The effect of neurofeedback therapy accompanying conventional occupational therapy on improving hand function in stroke patients: a pilot study

Hand dysfunction after stroke is among the most frequent disabilities which adversely affects many aspects of post stroke patients’ life. Routinely, patients receive physical therapy and then occupational therapy in the setting of rehabilitation medicine. Neurofeedback therapy is a new modality based on biofeedback therapy principles to train the brain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of neurofeedback on improving hand function after stroke. This study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial. Fourteen post stroke patients entered the study. Hand function was evaluated by Jebson hand function test pre and post intervention. Patients were randomly allocated into two intervention groups of occupational therapy (OT) and occupational therapy + neurofeedback therapy (NF). All patients received 10 sessions of therapy. Neurofeedback training was performed to enhance sensorimotor rhythm (SMR). Mean age of patients was 60±7 years. Hand function was improved significantly in both groups according to general jebson test. Some functional tasks of Jebson test improved more significantly in NF group, compared with OT group. Mean SMR increased significantly, by the end of 10 session neurofeednack therapy. Most of the patients found neurofeedback accompanying OT more enjoyable than OT alone. Drop out was more in OT group compared to NF group. Neurofeedback therapy is suggested as a complementary therapy to conventional OT with additional improvement in some aspects of hand recovery. Furthermore, It can increase patients’ compliance to rehabilitation program, and improve their satisfaction from therapy protocol.