J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jul;35:84-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.021. Epub 2023 Apr 28.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Motor recovery of the upper extremity is one of the most common challenging outcomes after stroke.
OBJECTIVE: To find out the combined effects of Brunnstrom hand rehabilitation (BHR) and functional electrical stimulation for improving hand functions in patients with chronic stroke.
STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
METHOD: 25 participants, both male (n = 11) and female (n = 14), age group between 40 and 70 years were randomly divided into control group (n = 12) and experimental group (n = 13). The treatment protocol was continued 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. The experimental group received Brunnstrom hand training and functional electrical stimulation (FES) along with conventional physiotherapy. The control group received only conventional physiotherapy. Participants were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Fugl Meyer Assessment scale-upper extremity, Modified Ashworth scale, Handheld Dynamometer, and Jabsen Taylor Hand Function Test. Paired t-test was used to compare within-group variables and an independent t-test was used for between-group comparisons. P-value was set as 0.05 to minimize type-1 error.
RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was obtained in favor of the experimental group undergoing FMA (p < .001), MAS (p = .004), JTHF (p = .018), and HHD (p < .001) in between-group analysis. However, both groups showed significant improvement [experimental group; FMA-UE (p < .001), MAS (p < .001); JTHF (p < .001), and HHD (p < .001), and control group; FMA-UE (p < .001), MAS (p < .001), JTHF (p < .001) and HHD (p < .001)] in within-group analysis at post-intervention.
CONCLUSION: Brunnstrom hand rehabilitation and FES in combination were found to be more effective in improving hand function than conventional physiotherapy treatment.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.ctri.nic.in. No: CTRI/2019/06/019,905.
PMID:37330808 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.021
