Using the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale to grade the intensity of a functional training program of the affected upper limb after a stroke: a feasibility study

Figures & data

Table 1 BRPE ratings of the strength and functional training groups

BRPE rating (/20)	Strength training group, mean (SD) [range]	Functional training group, mean (SD) [range]	P-value
Week 1	13 (0.6) [13–14]	13 (1.4) [10–14]	1.0
Week 2	13 (0.8) [12–14]	14 (1.5) [12–16]	1.0
Week 3	13 (1.0) [12–14]	14 (1.5) [12–16]	1.0
Week 4	14 (1.2) [12–16]	14 (1.6) [11–15]	1.0

Abbreviation: BRPE, Borg rating of perceived exertion.

Table 2 Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the strength and functional training groups

	Strength training group	Functional training group	P-value
Sociodemographic characteristics
Age (years)	64±9	68±6	0.52
Time since stroke (months)	47±18	58±79	0.52
Side of stroke (right/left)	1/5	2/4	0.08a
Clinical characteristics
Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (normal=66)	50±17	56±7	0.63
Wolf motor function test
Score (normal=5)	3.7±1.3	3.9±0.6	1.0
Time to completion (s)	13.6±25.6	3.1±0.9	0.75
Weight (maximum=20 lbs)	9±6	14±7	0.29
Motor Activity Log
Amount of use (normal=5)	3.0±1.6	3.8±0.9	0.42
Quality of use (normal=5)	2.8±1.5	3.5±1.0	0.69
Modified Ashworth Scale
Elbow flexors (normal=0)	0.7±0.5	0.8±0.8	0.72
Wrist flexors (normal=0)	0±0	0.8±0.8	0.02
Fingers flexors (normal=0)	0.5±0.8	0.3±0.8	0.59
Thumb flexors (normal=0)	0.2±0.4	0.2±0.4	1.0
Grip strength (kg)
Affected side	15±8	24±9	0.08
Unaffected side	28±12	34±10	0.42

Note:

a Chi-squared test, otherwise Mann–Whitney U test.

Table 3 Changes in clinical measures within and between the strength and functional training groups following a 4-week training program

Clinical measures	Strength training group		P-valuea	Functional training group		P-valuea	P-valueb
	Pre	Post		Pre	Post
FMA (normal=66)	50±17	55±15	0.04	56±7	62±5	0.04	0.63
WMFT
Score (normal=5)	3.7±1.3	4.1±1.2	0.05	3.9±0.6	4.5±0.4	0.05	0.47
Time to completion (s)	13.6±25.6	10.4±18.9	0.05	3.1±0.9	2.6±0.9	0.17	0.75
Weight (maximum=20 lbs)	9±6	13±7	0.03	14±7	14±7	0.66	0.01
MAL
Amount of use (normal=5)	3.0±1.6	3.6±1.6	0.08	3.8±0.9	4.2±0.9	0.14	0.75
Quality of use (normal=5)	2.8±1.5	3.4±1.6	0.03	3.5±1.0	4.1±0.8	0.04	0.87
MAS
Elbow flexors (normal=0)	0.7±0.5	0.7±0.5	1.0	0.8±0.8	0.5±0.5	0.16	0.39
Wrist flexors (normal=0)	0±0	0.3±0.5	0.16	0.8±0.8	0.3±0.5	0.18	0.13
Fingers flexors (normal=0)	0.5±0.8	0.3±0.8	0.32	0.3±0.8	0.2±0.4	0.32	1.0
Thumb flexors (normal=0)	0.2±0.4	0±0	0.32	0.2±0.4	0.2±0.4	0.32	1.0
Grip strength (kg)
Affected side	15±8	17±8	0.34	24±9	25±11	1.0	0.57

Notes:

a Within-group comparison using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

b Between-group comparison using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Abbreviations: FMA, Fugl-Meyer motor assessment; WMFT, Wolf motor function test; MAL, Motor Activity Log; MAS, Modified Ashworth Scale.