In work that may revolutionise rehabilitation for stroke
patients, researchers from The University of Auckland and the
Auckland District Health Board have shown it is possible to
predict an individual’s potential for recovery of hand and arm
function after a stroke. The new approach can be used to
personalise rehabilitation so that patients and therapists set
realistic goals for recovery. It may also improve outcomes of
trials that evaluate new therapies, by identifying patients who
are most likely to respond to specific treatments. “One in six
people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime,” says
principal investigator Professor Winston Byblow. “After stroke,
impairment of the arm and hand is very common and has a major
impact on independence and quality of life. “Until now it has
only been possible to group patients together according to their
broad similarity to others who have already gone through upper
limb rehabilitation, but this information cannot inform an
individual patient’s rehabilitation p