Optimizing arm-hand function training after stroke

Facilitating and hindering factors for interdisciplinary and transmural exercise therapy for arm and hand function problems following a stroke.

Centre of Expertise Health Innovation

Arm-handfunctietraining na beroerte optimaliseren

After a stroke, more than 80% of patients experience weakness or paralysis in one hand or arm. To treat these impairments successfully, it is important that the right exercises are provided frequently and for a sufficient duration. As more people experience and survive strokes, the demand for rehabilitation is increasing, driving healthcare costs higher. As a result, organizing care more efficiently has become increasingly important. However, this is challenging because so many different healthcare professionals and organizations are involved. The Rehabilitation and Technology research group at the Centre of Expertise is investigating potential solutions to this urgent and growing problem.

Goal

The aim of this project is to gain a clear understanding of how care for people with hand or arm problems following a stroke is currently organized, where the bottlenecks lie, and how such care should be structured in the future. This will be investigated based on data from the literature, as well as interviews and group discussions with various healthcare professionals.

Target audience

The target audience for this project consists of practitioners across the entire care continuum for individuals with arm or hand function impairments resulting from a stroke.

Results

The project will produce a set of clinical and process-oriented recommendations for arm and hand function training after a stroke. These recommendations will help ensure that patients receive more effective treatment for arm and hand impairments following a stroke, enabling them to regain function more quickly and participate in society sooner.

Duration

This project ran from October 2024 to October 2025.

Team

  • Ester de Jonge
  • Jacqueline Langius
  • Jorit Meesters

Collaboration

For this project, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is collaborating with:

Financiering

The project is funded by the Prof. Dr. J.M. Th. van Maanen Fund, part of the Leiden University Fund.

Contact