The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of trunk stabilization exercises on coordinated movement of the affected upper limb in patients after stroke, using the Armoe®Spring device and the "wall" and "abacus" functional tests. The study group had physiotherapy based on the NDT Bobath concept and the control group used classic exercises.
Almost half of the stroke patients report impaired function of the upper limb and hand. Stability of the trunk is required for the proper movement of the body, including the legs and arms. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of trunk stabilization exercises on coordinated movement of the affected upper limb in patients after stroke, using the Armoe®Spring device and the "wall" and "abacus" functional tests. Material and method: this is a randomized, double-blinded study. The research was carried out in the Rehabilitation Clinic on a group of 60 stroke patients who were randomly assigned to groups differing in the rehabilitation program. The study group had physiotherapy based on the NDT Bobath concept and the control group used classic exercises. The importance of the trunk for upper limb coordination was assessed on the Armeo®Spring device using three evaluation programs: "perpendicular hunting"; "horizontal hunting"; "reaction time" and two proprietary tests: "wall" and "abacus".
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
60
Their physiotherapy was based on exercises that heavily employed the core muscles to equalize tension and strength, according to the NDT Bobath concept. The duration of the treatment session for each patient in both groups was 120 minutes.
They underwent classical neurological rehabilitation. such as passive exercises, but also an approximation. In addition, the patients performed self-assisted exercises on a manual rotor, and in order to relieve the directly affected limb, the patients exercised in a suspension system. As the physiotherapy progressed, the patients performed active exercises, and then active exercises with resistance, e.g. using the Thera Band. Patients also exercised their balance with the use of large gymnastic balls or sensor pads. A large part of the physiotherapy was locomotion training and gait re-education. The duration of the treatment session for each patient in both groups was 120 minutes.
Military Institute of Medicine
Warsaw, Masovian District, Poland
Reaction time - time [s]
The patient moved his hand in the frontal plane to catch the fly. The rules of the game are the same as in the previous games, with the difference that each time the patient has to return to the center of the screen, to the shelf, and should remain on the shelf until another object appears on the screen. As in the previous games, the study on level I, working area 30 x 26 cm, to catch 20 objects.
Time frame: up to 10 days
"Vertical Fishing"
The patient's task is to catch a ladybug. In this evaluation game, the patient has to move his hand in a vertical plane. When it touches a ladybug, the ladybug disappears and a new one appears elsewhere. If the patient does not touch the ladybug within the allotted time, the ladybug also disappears and another reappears elsewhere. The patients were tested on the 1st level of difficulty, which means that the field of work was 40 x 30 cm and they had 12 objects to catch.
Time frame: up to 10 days
"Horizontal Fishing "
As in the previous game, the patient's task is to catch the red ball. In this evaluation game, the patient has to move his upper limb horizontally. The rules for the appearance and disappearance of an item are the same as in the previous game. The patients were tested on the 1st level of difficulty, which means that the field of work was 40 x 30 cm and they had 12 objects to catch.
Time frame: up to 10 days
"WALL" test
It consists in lifting the upper limb on one's own and moving the limb along the wall as high as possible. Patients performed it sitting straight with their knees pressed against the wall. Patients were scored according to the following schedule: 0- the patient does not raise the upper limb 1. the patient raises the upper limb to shoulder height 2. the patient raises the upper limb to the height of the head 3. the patient raises the upper limb above the head The purpose of the test was to assess the functional capabilities in the shoulder joint of the affected upper limb. This test examined whether the patient could overcome the force of gravity.
Time frame: up to 10 days
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"ABACUS" test
It was performed on classic mathematical abacuses. The patient's task was to move the beads from one edge of the abacus to the other with two fingers (index and thumb) of the affected upper limb. The result of the test was the number of beads moved in 30 seconds.
Time frame: up to 10 days