Stroke survivors can counterintuitively improve recovery by strengthening their stronger arm – new research

Rehabilitation from stroke has traditionally focused on improving the function of the most severely affected arm. But training the other arm might actually lead to more gains.

By: Candice Maenza, Penn State and Robert Sainburg, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 2, 2026

Words: 854

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Candice Maenza, Penn State and Robert Sainburg, Penn State

Stroke survivors often face substantial and long-lasting problems with their arms. Both arms often decline together: When one arm is more severely affected by the stroke, the other becomes more difficult to use as well. Compared with a healthy person’s dominant hand, a stroke survivor may take up to three times longer to complete everyday tasks using their less-impaired arm.

This creates a frustrating reality. …

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