Effects of Task-Oriented Training According to Stroke Lesion Location: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Task-oriented training is a widely used rehabilitation approach for individuals with stroke, emphasizing functional task practice and active problem-solving. However, clinical outcomes may vary according to stroke lesion location, and evidence regarding lesion-specific effects of task-oriented training remains limited. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of a task-oriented training program on activities of daily living and upper extremity motor function according to stroke lesion location.

Methods: Four individuals with stroke participated in a six-week task-oriented training program administered five times per week for 30 minutes per session. Participants met inclusion criteria of preserved cognitive function (MMSE-K ≥ 20) and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 3). Training tasks were selected from standardized activities and individualized by adjusting task difficulty. Outcome measures included the Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Manual Function Test (MFT), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were compared descriptively.

Results: All participants demonstrated improvements in functional performance following the intervention, although the magnitude and pattern of improvement differed across lesion locations. Improvements in activities of daily living and upper extremity motor function were not uniform, with discrepancies observed between functional independence and motor recovery measures.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the therapeutic effects of task-oriented training may differ according to stroke lesion location. Lesion-specific considerations may be essential for optimizing task-oriented rehabilitation strategies. Larger-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.