Upper Extremity Functional Outcomes With and Without Trunk Restraint in Stroke Patients
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- Category: Vol. 82, September 2014
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Upper Extremity Functional Outcomes With and Without Trunk Restraint in Stroke Patients, SALAH A. SAWAN, HUSSEIN A. SHAKER, EBTESAM M. FAHMY and NAGWA I. REHAB
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Task-specific training improves functional outcomes after stroke. However, gains may be accompanied by increases in movements compensating for motor impairments. This study hypothesized that restriction of compensatory trunk movements may encourage recovery of premorbid movement patterns leading to better functional outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine whether task-specific training with trunk restraint produces greater improvements in upper extremity function than training without trunk restraint in post-stroke patients.
Patients and Methods: Thirty male chronic stroke patients with age ranged between 40-55 years were included in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups (Group I and Group II). The first group (Group I) received reach to grasp and transfer blocks and pins using Box and Block Test (BBT) and Purdue Pegboard training during which compen-satory movement of the trunk was prevented by trunk restraint. The second group (Group II) practiced the same task without trunk restraint. Motor function of the upper limb and gross manual dexterity were recorded using Upper Extremity Per-formance Test (TEMPA) and BBT respectively.
Results: There was a statistically very highly significant increase and highly significant increase of the mean value of the TEMPA score of the affected upper limb post treatment in both groups (p=0.0001 in GI and p=0.001 in GII). Also, there was a statistically very highly significant increase in BBT score post treatment in both groups (p=0.0001). Trunk-restraint group had statistically non significant greater im-provement in motor function as compared to group without trunk restraint (p=0.057) but trunk-restraint group had a statistically very highly significant improvement of gross manual dexterity as compared to group without trunk restraint (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: Task-specific training with trunk restraint can be suggested as an effective method in improving upper extremity function in patients with impaired arm and hand function post stroke.