This within participant repeated measures study examined the effect of using goal-oriented instructions compared to a non-specific baseline instruction in stroke survivors. The participants did the same exercise across three days, their rate of repetitions was measured with a baseline non-specific instruction first and then they were given one of three goal-oriented instructions (in a randomised order). The following instructions were used:

Sit-to-stand instructions

The most effective instruction was Instruction C – this resulted in a doubling of the baseline rate of repetitions but even Instruction A resulted in a 62% increase in rate of repetitions. Here is a graph showing the results:

Results graph for different instruction options

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