Modified Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation (MAStR): feasibility study of a method to apply procedural memory concepts to transfer training

Abstract

Objective: Training and implementation for a multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation method emphasizing procedural memory.

Background: Current practice in stroke rehabilitation relies on explicit memory, often compromised by stroke, failing to capitalize on better-preserved procedural memory skills. Recruitment of procedural memory requires consistency and practice, characteristics difficulty to promote on inpatient rehabilitation units. We designed a method Modified Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation (MAStR) to maximize consistency and practice for transfer training with stroke patients.

Design: Phase I, single-group study. MAStR has two innovations: (1) simplification of instructions to only three words, other direction provided non-verbally; (2) having all rehabilitation staff apply the same approach for transfers. Staff training in MAStR included review of written material describing the rationale for MAStR and demonstration of a transfer using MAStR. Enrolled patients completed each transfer with MAStR in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy.

Results: The MAStR method was taught to a large, multidisciplinary rehabilitation staff (n = 31). Training and certification required 15 min per staff member. Five stroke patients were enrolled. No transfers with MAStR resulted in injury, no negative feedback was received from staff or patients. Staff reported satisfaction with the brief MAStR training and reported transfers were easier to complete with the MAStR method.

Conclusions: Feasibility was demonstrated for an innovative application of procedural memory concepts to stroke rehabilitation. All rehabilitation disciplines were successfully trained. MAStR was well-tolerated and liked by rehabilitation staff and patients. These results support pursuit of a Phase II pilot study.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• rehabilitation
• procedural memory
• transfer training

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the study participants and the entire New York Presbyterian Inpatient Rehabilitation staff who supported this project.