Focus of Attention Effect on Sit to Stand Symmetry in Individuals Post Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Cross-over Trial

Summary

The purpose of this study is to fill some gaps in the literature by examining the effects of focus of attention on motor learning and motor performance of sit to stand in individuals post chronic stroke. This study will investigate whether an internal or external focus of attention can lead to improved use of the affected lower extremity during the sit to stand transition, while maintaining an upright trunk position. More specifically, the study has two purposes. The first is to determine whether an external or internal focus of attention would lead to better motor learning of sit to stand. This is measured by retention testing and transfer of the task to changes in affected lower extremity weight bearing during gait. The second purpose of this study is to investigate whether an internal or external focus of attention affects the performance of sit to stands during training.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Other
  Focus of Attention

  Focus of attention instruction and feedback. Focus of attention refers to what people are thinking about during motor tasks. An external focus refers to thinking about an outside outcome or target. An internal focus of attention refers to thinking about how someone is moving their body. During training, participants performed four sets of sit to stand transitions with the mat at progressively lower seat heights to increasingly challenge the participants, with instruction and feedback consistent with their condition allocation. The four sets occurred in the following sequences: 130% of the initial mat height determined at baseline assessment 120%, 110%, and 100%. Each set ended after the tenth repetition or when the participant reported an RPE rating of \>16/20. During training, one verbal correction was given during each set after the second, fourth, and seventh repetition.

Location