Discussion
Hemiparesis is the most common deficit after
stroke, affecting more than 80% of subjects acutely
and more than 40% chronically(28). Rehabilitation techniques
have been more successful in restoring function
in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs. Unfortunately,
the upper limb function is more important for
independent living and self esteem(28). The time course
for the recovery of upper limbs has been placed at 11
weeks post stroke. If functional recovery has not
occurred by the 11th week, Nakayama et al(10) reported
that further recovery of the upper limb function should
not be expected.
A challenge to the accepted dogma that little
can be done to restore function in the paretic limb in
the post acute or chronic state has been offered by Taub