INFLUENCE OF SENSORY ELECRTICAL STIMULATION ON HAND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE

Research Abstract

Abstract Background: Loss of hand function is a major source of impairment in neuromuscular disorders, frequently preventing effective occupational performance and independent participation in daily life .The severity of these motor impairments and their negative impact on hand function are reasons that encouraged researchers to investigate new methods to improve hand function in post stroke patients. Currently, treatment options targeting improving hand function in stroke patients are often costly and have poor patient compliance. The purpose of the current study was to assess the influence of the sensory electrical nerve stimulation on improving hand function in subacute stroke patients. Patients and methods : Thirty stroke subjects, with age ranged from 40 to 65 years old participated in this study. Spasticity of the muscles of the affected hand (wrist flexors, fingers flexors and fingers adductors ) was grade 1+ or less according to Modified Ashworth Scale. Design of the study : The study was done as a pre and post treatment experimental design and patients were assigned into two groups. Group (A) (Study group ) included 15 patients; they received sensory electrical stimulation simultaneously task specific training program. Group ( B) (Control group ) included 15 patients; they received the same selected task specific training program only. Each patient was tested pre and post treatment by Modified Ashworth scale, Modified Medical Research Council Scale for measuring hand muscles strength (MRC) , Grip dynamometer, Pinch dynamometer, Digital goniometer and Action Research Arm Test Scale (ARAT ). Treatment sessions was given three times a week for 1 month. The results : There was significant decrease of spasticity grades of elbow flexors and shoulder flexors and modified medical council scale post treatment in the study group only. There was significant improvement of hand grip. Pinch grip, wrist flexion and wrist extension range of motion and action research arm scale in both groups post treatment, the improvement was significantly higher in the study group compared to control group. There was a significantly increase of the mean values of modified medical council scale post treatment in both groups, the difference was not statistically significant between study group and control group. Conclusion: Combination of sensory electrical nerve stimulation and task orientated training had positive influence on improving hand function in subacute stroke patients. So, it is recommended to add this protocol to the physical therapy program for subacute stroke patients suffering from hand dysfunction to improve the treatment outcomes. Key words: (stroke, hand function, sensory electrical nerve stimulation, task specific training).

Research Keywords

INFLUENCE OF SENSORY ELECRTICAL STIMULATION ON HAND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE