Scheduling Practices Research Articles

Rhythm of Work: Mixed-methods Characterization of Information Workers Scheduling Preferences and Practices

As processes around hybrid work, spatially distant collaborations, and work-life boundaries grow increasingly complex, managing workers' schedules for synchronous meetings has become a critical aspect of building successful global teams. However, gaps remain in our understanding of workers' scheduling preferences and practices, which we aim to fill in this large-scale, mixed-methods study of individuals' calendars in a multinational organization. Using interviews with eight participants, survey data from 165 respondents, and telemetry data from millions of meetings scheduled by 211 thousand workers, we characterize scheduling preferences, practices, and their relationship with each other and organizational factors. We find that temporal preferences can be broadly classified as either cyclical, such as suitability of certain days, or relational, such as dispersed meetings, at various time scales. Furthermore, our results suggest that these preferences are disconnected from actual practice--albeit with several notable exceptions--and that individual differences are associated with factors like meeting load, time-zones, importance of meetings to job function, and job titles. We discuss key themes for our findings, along with the implications for calendar and scheduling systems and socio-technical systems more broadly.

Effects of single- and double-shift work on hand and cognitive functions in nurses.

This study aims to examine the influence of single and double-shift work schedules on hand function and cognitive capacities, specifically working memory, attention, and response time in nurses. Shift work, particularly in extended formats, is known to affect various physical and cognitive functions critical to nursing duties. Understanding these impacts is vital for managing nurse schedules to minimize health risks and maximize performance. With an increase in demands on healthcare systems, nurses often endure prolonged working hours, which may impair their cognitive and manual abilities, thereby affecting patient care quality. This study involved 45 nurses aged 20-40 years from shift-oriented units providing direct patient care. Hand function was assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). Cognitive functions such as working memory, attention, and response time were evaluated using the digit span task and the Stroop test, respectively. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical analysis, assessing the interactions of time and shift type, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The results revealed significant changes in all tested variables between pre- and post-shift assessments and between single and double-shift conditions. Notably, the double-shift work significantly exacerbated declines in all measured functions. These findings suggest that double shifts may intensify the deterioration of essential nursing skills, potentially compromising patient care. This study underscores the detrimental effects of extended shift work on nurses' cognitive and manual functions. These insights should guide healthcare institutions in revising nurse scheduling practices to safeguard their well-being and maintain high standards of patient care.

Application of the maturity model for collaborative scheduling for construction projects

PurposeThis paper introduces the weighting, analysis and validation method used in the development of the Maturity Model for Collaborative Scheduling (MMCS). The scoring and ranking process introduced by the MMCS fills a gap in the literature by supporting the selection of collaborative scheduling (CS) practices that yield more weight toward the achievement of higher maturity levels in the development and implementation of CS. The ranking process can then be used during pre/post project execution to track collaborative scheduling in practice against the model’s weighting and provide the project team with constructive feedback and actionable steps for reaching the next highest level of collaboration.Design/methodology/approachThe MMCS, which focuses on five pillars (key areas of interest for CS) and related swim lanes (specific attributes), covers a broad range of areas in the construction industry and was coded into a survey. The relative weights of pillars and swim lanes were then established using the Delphi method with the group of subject matter experts (SMEs), analyzed using multi-objective decision analysis (MODA) and validated using 241 answers to a survey with questions drawn from the MMCS, including organizations across the industry in the United States.FindingsThe project scoring defines bounds for bronze, silver and gold levels of collaboration in scheduling. Project evaluations can then be used to identify areas for continuous improvement and enhanced collaboration. We offer recommendations and best practices for project improvement.Originality/valueTwo original contributions resulted from this work: (1) a method to elicit weights based on a combination of Delphi, MODA and survey methods was used to develop and validate a scale with three different maturity levels to support the use and continuous improvement of CS practices and (2) a validated model was used to assess the maturity level of CS in construction projects alongside specific recommendations to move upward in terms of maturity. In practice, project leaders can use this model to assess project performance, advance the project’s maturity and guide continuous improvement efforts for enhanced collaboration.

Dynamic evolution of high-speed railway driver fatigue across scheduling shifts – a simulator study in China

ABSTRACT Scheduling significantly contributes to fatigue among high-speed rail (HSR) drivers, impacting both driving performance and safety. This study aims to analyse distinctiveness and evolutionary patterns of driver fatigue across different scheduling shifts, leveraging an HSR simulator and wearable devices. Through an extensive statistical examination, differences in most heart rate variability features were identified across shifts. The evolution of self-reported fatigue and physiological fatigue was investigated using a Markov chain and a hidden Markov model (HMM) that is extended using softmax regression, respectively. Results indicated a similarity in the initial fatigue state distribution and evolution trends across shifts, albeit with varying degrees of fluctuation. Morning shifts exhibited a higher likelihood of fatigue accumulation. The study revealed that even adequate pre-rest did not entirely counterbalance the impact of circadian rhythms. These findings may contribute to comprehending the temporal dynamics of driver fatigue evolution and offer insights for optimizing driver scheduling practices.

Comparative study of variable irrigation scheduling and moisture retention practices on sweet corn yield and growth

Comparative study of variable irrigation scheduling and moisture retention practices on sweet corn yield and growth

Optimization of Joint Scheduling for Automated Guided Vehicles and Unmanned Container Trucks at Automated Container Terminals Considering Conflicts

Port development is a critical component in constructing a resilient transportation infrastructure. The burgeoning integration of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) within container terminals, in conjunction with the orchestrated scheduling of unmanned container trucks (UCTs), is essential for the sustainable expansion of port operations in the future. This study examined the influence of AGVs in automated container terminals and the synergistic scheduling of UCTs on port operations. Comparative experiments were meticulously designed to evaluate the feasibility of integrated scheduling schemes. Through the development of optimization models that consider conflict-free paths for both AGVs and UCTs, as well as strategies for conflict resolution, a thorough analysis was performed. Advanced genetic algorithms were engineered to address task-dispatching models. In contrast, the A* optimization search algorithm was adapted to devise conflict-free and conflict-resolution paths for the two vehicle types. A range of scaled scenarios was utilized to assess the impact of AGVs and UCTs on the joint-scheduling process across various configuration ratios. The effectiveness of the strategies was appraised by comparing the resultant path outcomes. Additionally, comparative algorithmic experiments were executed to substantiate the adaptability, efficacy, and computational efficiency of the algorithms in relation to the models. The experimental results highlight the viability of tackling the joint-scheduling challenge presented by AGVs and UCTs in automated container terminals. When juxtaposed with alternative scheduling paradigms that operate independently, this integrated approach exhibits superior performance in optimizing the total operational costs. Consequently, it provides significant insights into enhancing port scheduling practices.

Best Practices for Efficient Project Planning and Scheduling in Construction

Best Practices for Efficient Project Planning and Scheduling in Construction

Reducing musculoskeletal disorders in iron ore mine operators: A fuzzy-based intervention approach.

This study focuses on evaluating the exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and association of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with various risk factors among dumper operators in the mining industry. Despite the issue's significance, prior research has been limited. The study introduces a novel fuzzy-based approach for identifying, selecting, and prioritizing safety measures to mitigate MSD risks. Data collection comprised face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scoring for posture assessment, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire for assessment of MSD prevalence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the contributing risk factors to MSDs and WBV exposure. These risk factors formed the basis for a practical approach to select appropriate safety measures based on fuzzy based aggregation method of expert's judgment aimed at mitigating the risk of MSDs. The results revealed that the risk factors such as poor work posture, WBV exposure and poor seat design were significantly associated with neck (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 4.81), upper limb and shoulder (aOR = 3.28), upper back (aOR = 5.09), and lower back pain (aOR = 3.67) at p < 0.05. Using these factors to formulate safety measures to reduce MSD risk, the minimization of sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation in designing the haul roads, scheduled maintenance practices, and ergonomic seat design were found as important safety measures in this study. Our unique methodological approach in occupational health research could be highly beneficial for tailoring safety measures at the unit level with minimal effort.

'The burden is very much on yourself': A qualitative study to understand the illness and treatment burden of hearing loss across the life course.

Hearing loss is a chronic health condition that rises sharply with age. The way people respond to and cope with health conditions is influenced by their capacity to perform illness and treatment-related work. The aim was to explore the cumulative burdens of living with hearing loss and the resources mobilised to ease the burdens. A qualitative design was used with semi-structured interviews (online or in-person) with participants recruited through audiology services and nonclinical services, such as lip-reading classes. Forty-six participants with hearing loss aged between 16 and 96 years were interviewed. An abductive approach, informed by May et al.'s burden of treatment theory, was used to analyse the data. The illness burden involved participants working to make sense of their hearing loss, engaging in emotional work in response to changes in sound, social interactions and identity and coping with the daily frustrations required to communicate with others. Abandonment and uncertainty characterised the treatment burden; participants engaged in emotional work to adjust to hearing technology and deal with the uncertainty of how their hearing might progress. To ameliorate the burdens, participants drew on internal resources (psychological, health literacy, cognitive) and external resources (social support, financial, information, technology). The workload of hearing loss appears largely devolved to the patient and is not always visible. Our work indicates the need to widen approaches in audiological care through the implementation of lifeworld-led care, family-centred care and peer support to build support for those with hearing loss. We developed the project in consultation with members of the public who have lived experience of hearing loss recruited through Aston University and volunteer links to audiology services. We also consulted people more likely to be affected by hearing loss adults including adults with learning disabilities, older adults in residential care and people from South Asia (Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani communities). These individuals commented on the study aims, interview schedule and participant recruitment practices. One of our co-authors (expert by experience) contributed to the development and interpretation of themes and preparation of the final manuscript.

Parental Exposure to Work Schedule Instability and Child Sleep Quality

Recent scholarship has documented the effects of unstable scheduling practices on worker health and well-being, but there has been less research examining the intergenerational consequences of work schedule instability. This study investigates the relationship between parental exposure to unstable and unpredictable work schedules and child sleep quality. We find evidence of significant and large associations between parental exposure to each of five different types of unstable and unpredictable work scheduling practices and child sleep quality, including sleep duration, variability and daytime sleepiness. We are also able to mediate 35–50% of this relationship with measures of work–life conflict, parental stress and well-being, material hardship, and child behaviour. These findings suggest that the effects of the temporal dimensions of job quality extend beyond workers to their children, with implications for the mechanisms by which social inequality is reproduced and for social policies intended to regulate precarious and unequal employment conditions.

Assessment of Schedule Quality Problems from the DOT Schedule Reviewers’ Perspective: Case of TxDOT

A construction schedule review is an essential aspect of schedule management for U.S. state departments of transportation (DOTs) to deliver transportation construction projects on time. Despite their importance, current literature pays limited attention to addressing schedule quality problems for highway construction projects. This research aims to assess schedule quality problems from DOTs’ perspective and suggests recommendations to improve DOTs’ schedule review practices. To achieve this, two questions were formulated: 1) What schedule problems do DOT schedule reviewers perceive as vital to schedule quality? and 2) What schedule problems do DOT schedule reviewers find repeatedly? This research first reviewed relevant literature and identified 44 schedule quality problems noted about highway construction. Based on these 44 problems, a survey was developed to assess the level of impact and the likelihood of occurrence of each problem. The survey was deployed to Texas Department of Transportation practitioners with schedule review experience. The analysis prioritized the problems by the relative impact and frequency, and DOTs can utilize this analysis to improve their schedule review process and practices. This paper contributes to the academic body of knowledge by investigating the schedule quality problems in highway construction and DOT practitioners’ perceptions of the schedule quality problems. Its industry contribution includes providing the methodology for DOTs to assess their schedule quality problems.

Validation of farmers’ on-farm irrigation scheduling for optimal water utilization in Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Unwise use of irrigation water in water-scarce areas exacerbates water scarcity, diminishes crop yield, and leads to resource wastage. In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where water is scarce and a determinant resource, no regional-level validation of on-farm irrigation scheduling had been conducted until now. The objectives of this study were to (i) validate farmers’ irrigation scheduling practices and (ii) optimize water consumption for increased irrigated area and number of farmers. Eight different irrigation schemes were purposively selected from the Tigray region. Primary data, acquired through field measurements, observations, and discussions, were supplemented with secondary data. Farmers' irrigation scheduling practices were predominantly of the "Fixed" type, characterized by constant irrigation intervals and amounts. Unfortunately, these practices were non-optimal, with 55% over-irrigation and 45% under-irrigation. Over-irrigation instances ranged from 1350 m3in a garlic plot within the Mesima scheme to a maximum of 1,327,067 m3in a maize plot within the Serenta scheme. The excess water could potentially be utilized to irrigate an additional area of 2 to 148 hectares, thereby benefiting 7 to 296 more farmers, respectively. Conversely, instances of under-irrigation in the Fre Lekatit scheme resulted in yield reductions of 10,445 kg for potatoes and 138,499 kg for maize. In the Tigray region, most of the schemes are semi-arid, emphasizing the imperative need for water conservation. Renovating regional-level irrigation scheduling by integrating performance assessment and enhancing water productivity at the field level, and establishing a remote-sensing-based 'Real-Time Irrigation Scheduling System' is deemed necessary to sustain dryland irrigated agriculture.

Considering Burnout and Well-Being: Emergency Medicine Resident Shift Scheduling Platform and Satisfaction Insights from a Quality Improvement Project.

Few studies explore emergency medicine (EM) residency shift scheduling software as a mechanism to reduce administrative demands and broader resident burnout. A local needs assessment demonstrated a learning curve for chief resident schedulers and several areas for improvement. In an institutional quality improvement project, we utilized an external online cross-sectional convenience sampling pilot survey of United States EM residency programs to collect information on manual versus software-based resident shift scheduling practices and associated scheduler and scheduler-perceived resident satisfaction. Our external survey response rate was 19/253 (8%), with all United States regions (i.e., northeast, southeast, midwest, west, and southwest) represented. Two programs (11%) reported manual scheduling without any software. ShiftAdmin was the most popularly reported scheduling software (53%). Although not statistically significant, manual scheduling had the lowest satisfaction score and programs with ≤30 residents reported the highest levels of satisfaction. Our data suggest that improvements in existing software-based technologies are needed. Artificial intelligence technologies may prove useful for reducing administrative scheduling demands and optimizing resident scheduling satisfaction.

The current landscape of emergency medicine resident scheduling.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and Residency Review Committee oversee resident physician work hours with additional specifics for U.S. emergency medicine (EM) residency programs. While there are maximum work hours, the regulatory bodies do not describe minimum work hours to achieve competency, leading to variable scheduling practices. This study aimed to understand the current landscape of U.S. EM residency scheduling given the expansion of programs, evolution of policies, and increased emphasis on wellness. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess current strategies of U.S. EM residency scheduling. The RedCap survey was sent to all ACGME-accredited EM residency programs across the United States via individualized emails between January 10, 2023, and March 15, 2023. Data were combined using Microsoft Excel. A total of 138 of 278 (50%) programs responded to the survey. A total of 73.2% of programs were using thirteen 28-day blocks with the remainder using twelve 1-month blocks or reported "other" block scheduling. The number of blocks in the ED increases with each postgraduate year (PGY). For PGY-1 through PGY-3, the most commonly used shift duration was 9 h. The mean total shifts per ED block and hours worked per ED block are as follows: 19 shifts and 185.1 h (PGY-1), 18.2 shifts and 173.9 h (PGY-2), 17.3 shifts and 163.6 h (PGY-3), and 14.8 shifts and 157.2 h (PGY-4). Programs provide a median for 4 weeks of vacation per year of residency. Given the expansion of U.S. EM residency programs, we reevaluated the landscape of resident scheduling. We described scheduling patterns related to night shifts, vacations, requested time off, conference coverage, charting time, and circadian rhythms. Programs should utilize these data as a starting point for setting a clinical experience for their residents.

Power Bill Optimization for Grid-tie Solar PV-Battery House

This study focuses on the optimization of power bills for a house equipped with a grid-tie solar PV-battery system. Rather than adhering to conventional load scheduling practices or minimizing grid power usage at each time interval, a novel approach is adopted wherein the optimization is performed for the entire 24-hour period simultaneously. By directly incorporating time-of-use rates into the cost function, an absolute optimal solution is attained. The findings indicate that compared to single time step optimization, the proposed method results in a reduction of the power bill ranging from 6% to 10%, depending on load-generation variations. Furthermore, if the utility or government enforces the summer tariff consistently throughout the year, the savings escalate to a range of 15% to 22%. Introducing a more intelligent tariff structure can thus serve as an effective means to expedite the transition towards renewable energy by incentivizing individual investments in solar PV, battery systems, and smart home energy management.

The important factors nurses consider when choosing shift patterns: A cross-sectional study.

To gain a deeper understanding of what is important to nurses when thinking about shift patterns and the organisation of working time. A cross-sectional survey of nursing staff working across the UK and Ireland collected quantitative and qualitative responses. We recruited from two National Health Service Trusts and through an open call via trade union membership, online/print nursing profession magazines and social media. Worked versus preferred shift length/pattern, satisfaction and choice over shift patterns and nurses' views on aspects related to work and life (when working short, long, rotating shifts) were analysed with comparisons of proportions of agreement and crosstabulation. Qualitative responses on important factors related to shift preferences were analysed with inductive thematic analysis. Eight hundred and seventy-three survey responses were collected. When nurses worked long shifts and rotating shifts, lower proportions reported being satisfied with their shifts and working their preferred shift length and pattern. Limited advantages were realised when comparing different shift types; however, respondents more frequently associated 'low travel costs' and 'better ability to do paid overtime' with long shifts and 'healthy diet/exercise' with short shifts; aspects related to rotating shifts often had the lowest proportions of agreement. In the qualitative analysis, three themes were developed: 'When I want to work', 'Impacts to my life outside work' and 'Improving my work environment'. Reasons for nurses' shift preferences were frequently related to nurses' priorities outside of work, highlighting the importance of organising schedules that support a good work-life balance. General scheduling practices like adhering to existing shift work guidelines, using consistent and predictable shift patterns and facilitating flexibility over working time were identified by nurses as enablers for their preferences and priorities. These practices warrant meaningful consideration when establishing safe and efficient nurse rosters. This survey was developed and tested with a diverse group of stakeholders, including nursing staff, patients, union leads and ward managers. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies (STROBE) checklist for cross-sectional studies was used to guide reporting.

Efficiency and perceived safety of foot and ankle procedures performed on the preoperative stretcher versus operating room table.

Foot and ankle surgeons often perform minor surgeries on the preoperative stretcher instead of the operating room table. We examined whether stretcher-based and operating room table-based procedures differed with respect to operating room efficiency and staff perceptions. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients undergoing minor foot and ankle surgery at an ambulatory surgery centre. We collected 'time to start', the duration between patient arrival in the operating room and incision time, and 'time to exit', the duration between procedure end time and patient exit from the operating room. Staff were surveyed regarding their perceptions of stretcher-based and operating room table-based procedures. 'Time to start' was significantly shorter for stretcher-based procedures, but 'time to exit' was not. Seventeen (81%) staff members thought stretcher-based procedures increased operating room efficiency. Thirteen (62%) thought stretcher-based procedures bettered staff safety. Nineteen (91%) thought stretcher-based procedures were equivalent to or better than operating room table-based procedures for patient safety. Most (67%) would recommend stretcher-based procedures. We found small but significant time savings associated with stretcher-based procedures. Without adapting surgical scheduling practices, the impact of stretcher-based procedures on overall operating room efficiency is questionable. Nevertheless, the majority of OR staff think stretcher-based procedures increase OR efficiency and are safer for staff. Level IV, Retrospective case series.

Irrigation Scheduling and Nitrogen Management Practices Affected the Nutrient Concentration of Moth Bean under Arid Ecosystem

Efficient utilization of water and fertilizers is important for maximizing yield for moth bean production through improvement the nutrient use efficiency under arid ecosystem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient content of moth bean in the western zone of Rajasthan during 2020 &amp; 2021. Treatments included three levels of nitrogen (N1:15 kg N as basal + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering stage, N2: 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at pod development stage and N3: 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stages) and levels three levels of irrigation (I1: single irrigation at branching stage, I2: two irrigation at branching + pod development stages and I3: two irrigation at flowering + pod development stages) were laid down in factorial combinations of randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stage recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in seed and haulm over 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering stage and 15 kg N + foliar spray of urea (2%) at pod development stage. However, the phosphorus content in seed and haulm was not significantly influenced by N3 and statistically equivalent with N2 and N1 during 2020 and 2021. Potassium content in seed showed significant enhancement under N3, while K content in haulm was not affected significantly during 2020 and pooled basis. Further, irrigation management practices did not show any significant improvement on N, P, K content in seed and haulm during years of 2020 and 2021. While, N content in seed and haulm was significantly improved under I2 over I3 and I1 on pooled basis. Thus, 15 kg N as basal application + foliar spray of urea (2%) at flowering and pod development stages with two irrigations at branching + pod development stages improved the nutrient content in moth bean in arid condition.

Machine learning-enhanced aircraft landing scheduling under uncertainties

Aircraft delays lead to safety concerns and financial losses, which can propagate for several hours during extreme scenarios. Developing an efficient landing scheduling method is one of the effective approaches to reducing flight delays and safety concerns. Existing scheduling practices are mostly done by air traffic controllers (ATC) with heuristic rules. This paper proposes a novel machine learning-enhanced methodology for aircraft landing scheduling. Data-driven machine learning (ML) models are proposed to enhance automation and safety. ML enhancement is adopted for both prediction and optimization. First, the flight arrival delay scenarios are analyzed to identify the delay-related factors, where strong multimodal distributions and arrival flight time duration clusters are observed. A multi-stage conditional ML predictor is proposed for improved prediction performance of separation time conditioned on flight events. Next, we propose incorporating the ML predictions as safety constraints of the time-constrained traveling salesman problem formulation. The scheduling problem is then solved with mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). Additionally, uncertainties between successive flights from historical flight recordings and model predictions are included to ensure reliability. We demonstrate the real-world applicability of our method using the flight track and event data from the Sherlock database of the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC ZTL). The case studies provide evidence that the proposed method is capable of reducing the total landing time by an average of 17.2% across three case studies, when compared to the First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) rule. Unlike the deterministic heuristic FCFS rule, the proposed methodology also considers the uncertainties between aircraft and ensures confidence in the scheduling. Finally, several concluding remarks and future research directions are given. The code used can be retrieved from Link.

Comparing distributed versus massed practice on functional recovery and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in acute stroke subjects.

Globally, stroke is known to be one of the major health problems, resulting in disability among an aging population. Rehabilitation is a process of re-learning of skills, lost due to brain injury. Many factors influence motor learning post neurological insult and practice is one of the key factors which influence relearning or reacquisition of lost motor skills. Practice can be varied concerning order (blocked or random), scheduling (massed or distributed), or whole and part practice. The study observed the effect of variations in practice schedules on motor and functional recovery. Thirty-two acute stroke subjects were recruited and equally divided into two groups (16 in massed and 16 in distributed). Both groups received an accelerated skill acquisition program (ASAP) for six sessions a week for 2 weeks. Pre- and post-outcome measures included stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement (STREAM) for motor recovery, modified Barthel index (MBI) for functional recovery, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for neuroplasticity. The median scores of participants in the massed practice group before the intervention, of STREAM total, MBI, and BDNF were 23.5, 19, and 0.65, respectively, whereas post values of STREAM total, MBI, and BDNF were 40.5, 60.5, and 0.75, respectively. The median scores of the distributed practice group of the pre-STREAM total, MBI, and BDNF were 23.5, 6.5, and 0.70, respectively, whereas the post-STREAM total, MBI, and BDNF were 41, 45.5, and 0.80, respectively. P-value was reported to be <0.05 while comparing pre- and post-values of STREAM, MBI, and BDNF within both intervention groups. The median change scores of STREAM, MBI, and BDNF reported P ≥ 0.05 when compared between the groups. Both the groups had significant recovery post-intervention designed based on ASAP, about impairment mitigation, pursuing skilled movement leading to significant functional gains. Appropriate timing along with optimal dosage became an active ingredient in functional recovery in acute stroke subjects. The distributed practice might have added effect of spacing, resulting in easier learning and accuracy of skills. The study reveals that distributed practice can be part of regular clinical practice to enhance functional recovery in acute stroke rehabilitation.