Task Specific Training Effect on Upper Extremity Performance in Hemiparetic Patients: A Narrative Review

Background: Hemiparesis, which is defined as partial or total weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, affects approximately 65 percent of stroke patients and is one of the most prevalent neurological deficits during the recovery period. The inability to perform basic tasks due to impaired hand function is a common outcome of stroke that significantly impairs independence and quality of life. Objective: This review aimed to determine the effectiveness of task specific training on upper extremity performance in hemiparetic patients.
Methods: The Cochrane controlled trials register on task specific training on upper extremity performance in hemiparetic patients was searched without regard to when it was conducted. Between August 2025 and the launch date, the Google, Science Direct, and PubMed databases were used. Only works written in English were included in the literature search. Abstracts from smaller scientific studies, conference papers, dissertations, oral presentations, and unpublished articles were not included.
Conclusion: Task-specific training has been shown to be an effective therapeutic strategy for improving upper extremity function in hemiparetic patients. Despite the encouraging results of the current evidence, more carefully planned clinical research is necessary to solidify the body of knowledge and to determine the intervention's long-term therapeutic effects.