Table 1 Descriptions of the secondary outcome measures

Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)

The ARAT [41] is a 19-item observational test. It is divided into 4 subtests (grasp, grip, pinch and gross arm movement). Performance on each item is rated on a 4-point ordinal scale ranging from: 0 – can perform no part of test; 1 – performs test partially; 2 – completes test, but takes abnormally long or has great difficulty; 3 – performs test normally

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)

The IADL [24] is a functional disability scale which assesses functional level by asking whether a person receives personal help with activities of daily living, such as using the telephone, getting to places outside the house, grocery shopping, preparing meals, doing housework or handyman work, laundry, taking medications and managing finances

Gait analysis

Spatiotemporal gait parameters, joint angles and moment of the lower limbs will be recorded by Vicon Motion Systems, Oxford, UK. Parameters will be recorded at: (1) maximum hip and knee extension during stance phase, (2) maximum flexion at the hip and knee joints during the swing phase, (3) plantarflexion during push-off and (4) dorsiflexion during swing phase of the gait cycle. Spatiotemporal gait parameters of gait speed, cadence, stride length, stride time and step length will be recorded

Upper limb motion analysis

Dynamic changes of shoulder and elbow motions will be measured by Vicon Motion Systems. Parameters recorded during reach forward task (Fig. 1a, b) are: (1) movement time (s), (2) peak velocity (m/s), (3) shoulder amplitude (^o) and (4) elbow amplitude (^o)

Parameters of: (1) movement time (s), (2) peak velocity (m/s), (3) shoulder amplitude (^o) and (4) elbow amplitude (^o), (5) supination peak velocity (m/s) and (6) pronation peak velocity (m/s) during reach forward and grasp (Fig. 2a, b)

Motions for the paretic and nonparetic arms will be recorded and compared

Short Orientation Memory Concentration Test (SOMCT)

The SOMCT [25] is a validated measurement for cognitive impairment. It is a short assessment of cognitive function composed of 6 items

Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)

The MMSE is a brief screening tool that provides a quantitative assessment of cognitive impairment and assesses changes over time. It was originally developed as part of an assessment for dementia and was validated for use in patients with acute stroke [26]

Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery (FMA)

The FMA [27] is a validated evaluation tool for motor function, balance and joint function in post-stroke hemiplegic patients

Berg Balance Scale (BBS)

The BBS [42] was developed to assess static and dynamic balance abilities. It is composed of 14 simple balance-related tasks including sit to stand, stand to sit and standing on one foot

Grip strength

Grip strength will be measured with a Jamar ® hydraulic hand dynamometer

Muscle tone

Changes of muscle tone (bicep brachii, brachioradialis, extensor digitorum, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris) pre and post treatment will be measured by the MyotonPRO® hand-held device whose use in the stoke population has been validated [43]

World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS)

The WHODAS is a standardised measurement of health and disability across cultures [44]. It captures the level of functioning in 6 domains of life: cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities and participation. It has been validated for use in people with chronic illnesses [45]