Training novice clinicians improves observation accuracy of the upper extremity after stroke

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether training influenced the accuracy of observational kinematic assessment (OKA) of hemiplegic upper extremity impairment and to elucidate the contribution of knowledge of results to learning. Design: Intervention study; before-after testing of OKA accuracy after training, using 2 trained groups (with knowledge of results, KR group; without, NKR group) and 1 control group with a 1-week retention test. Setting: Tertiary teaching. Participants: Fifty-one first-year physical therapy student volunteers acted as observers. They were ranked on pretest accuracy and then randomized into groups. A consecutive sample of 11 stroke patients and 4 nondisabled subjects acted a..