Table 1.

Inclusion criteria

- first stroke

- post-stroke time of 2–6 weeks

- clinically diagnosed central paresis of arm/hand with elbow flexor strength MRC grade 1–3

- age 18–85

- no severely impaired cognition

- no severe neurological, orthopedic, rheumatoid or cardiac impairments prior to stroke

- no severely comprehension-impaired communication