Injury to the cervical spinal cord results in complete or partial loss of arm and hand function, severely limiting the performance of daily activities. Deficits in hand function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) are primarily due to a loss of descending motor pathways that are vital for fine control of the hand and fingers. In addition to these deficits, secondary plastic reorganization may create further loss of function. This thesis will explore the following questions: 1. What are the similarities and differences between cortical organization of muscles affected by a cervical SCI to those not affected by the injury?; 2. Do individuals with cervical SCI improve in hand function and cortical organization after an intensive hand training intervention?; 3. Which physical therapy intervention provides the optimal conditions by which to improve hand function following cervical SCI? In chapter 2 we compare cortical motor maps of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) evoked responses of muscles rostral and caudal to the injury to those of ND individuals. The cortical maps of the biceps brachii or the thenar muscles were constructed, and compared between ND individuals and individuals with SCI. The motor threshold (MT) for the thenar muscles in individuals with SCI was significantly higher than ND individuals. The purpose of the study described in chapter 3 was to compare the functional and cortical changes associated with two different interventions: unimanual or bimanual massed practice training, both combined with somatosensory stimulation. There was a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention scores on tests measuring unimanual hand function, bimanual hand function, and sensory function. This difference was associated with a difference between pre- and post-intervention cortical map area. The purpose of the study described in chapter 4 was to compare clinical and cortical changes associated with either a delayed intervention control period or a combined intervention of massed practice training with electrical stimulation. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: delayed intervention control group or immediate intervention group. Participants were also randomly assigned to one of four groups: unimanual training with somatosensory stimulation, bimanual training with somatosensory stimulation, unimanual training with functional electrical stimulation, or bimanual training with functional electrical stimulation. There was a significant difference between the control and immediate intervention group on the test measuring unimanual hand function. Participants in the bimanual group performed significantly better on the test measuring bimanual hand function. There was a significant difference between the control group and immediate intervention group in cortical map area. In chapter 5 we discuss the clinical relevance of the results of the studies described in three prior chapters. Conclusions drawn include the idea that cortical maps of muscles caudal to the level of injury in individuals with SCI have higher motor thresholds than ND participants. Individuals with tetraplegia can improve in hand function and sensation with a physical therapy intervention of massed practice training combined with somatosensory stimulation. Finally, the type of training (unimanual massed practice or bimanual massed practice) influences the type of improvements gained, however the type of electrical stimulation does not influence the clinical outcome.

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Introduction. La thérapie axée sur la répétition de tâches fonctionnelles est préconisée pour la réadaptation du membre supérieur à la suite d’un accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC). Toutefois, aucun programme d’intervention n’opérationnalise l’ensemble des composantes clés du TOT en une démarche clinique valide de rééducation du membre supérieur post AVC en ergothérapie. Objectifs. 1) Établir la validité de contenu d’un programme de rééducation du membre supérieur post AVC en ergothérapie et 2) proposer un modèle logique de l’intervention qui fait consensus auprès d’experts et d’usagers. Méthodes. Un modèle logique d’un programme de rééducation du membre supérieur post AVC en ergothérapie a été développé, puis soumis à deux méthodes de recherche pour valider le contenu et obtenir un consensus d’experts et d’usagers : 1) Méthode Delphi : 14 experts ont examiné des capsules audiovisuelles illustrant le programme d’intervention et ont répondu à deux questionnaires pour valider les objectifs, la nature de l’intervention, les ressources, les activités et les extrants; 2) Technique de groupe nominal : six usagers ayant un vécu expérientiel de l’intervention ont généré les effets ciblés. L’indice de validité de contenu, deux indices d’accord interjuges et l’analyse de contenu ont été utilisés pour analyser les données. Résultats. Près de 93 % du contenu du programme de rééducation du membre supérieur post AVC en ergothérapie obtient un indice de validité satisfaisant, dont 82 % qui font consensus auprès d’experts et d’usagers dans un modèle logique révisé. Conclusion. Le modèle logique révisé propose une vision commune, quoiqu’incomplète, d’un programme de rééducation du membre supérieur post AVC en ergothérapie basé sur le TOT. Les activités et les extrants de l’évaluation devront faire l’objet de validation lors d’une phase subséquente d’implantation. Un transfert de connaissances sur les moyens pour favoriser le sentiment d’efficacité personnelle est aussi à prévoir pour réévaluer son rôle dans le programme d’intervention. / Background. Task-Oriented Training (TOT) is the recommended approach for upper extremity rehabilitation after a stroke. To date, no program have operationalized all the key components of TOT into a valid upper extremity clinical rehabilitation process post stroke in occupational therapy. Objectives. 1) To determine the content validity of an upper extremity rehabilitation program post stroke in occupational therapy and 2) to propose a logic model reaching consensus among experts and patients. Methods. A logic model of an upper extremity rehabilitation program post stroke in occupational therapy was developed and validated. Two research methods were used to validate the content and to achieve a consensus of experts and patients : 1) Delphi method : 14 experts examined audiovisual capsules of the intervention and completed two questionnaires to validate the objectives, the nature of the intervention, the resources, the activities and the outputs; 2) Nominal group technique : six patients with experience of the intervention generated the outcomes. The content validity index, two interrater agreement statistics and a content analysis were used for data analysis. Results. Almost 93 % of the content of the upper extremity rehabilitation program post stroke in occupational therapy obtained a satisfactory validity index, including 82 % reaching consensus among experts and patients in a revised logic model. Conclusion. The revised logic model now offers a common, albeit incomplete, vision of an upper extremity rehabilitation program post stroke based on the TOT in occupational therapy. Activities and outputs of the evaluation should be validated during a subsequent implementation phase. Knowledge translation on the modalities to promote self-efficacy is also to be planned to reassess its role in the intervention program.