Trunk Stabilization Exercises Affect the Activity of the Upper Limb

Military Institute od Medicine National Research Institute

Status

Completed

Conditions

Stroke

Treatments

Other: NDT Bobath therapy

Other: The classic exercises.

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05365945

4/KRN/2020

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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".

Enrollment

60 patients

Sex

All

Ages

35 to 85 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria: 1) patients 5 to 7 weeks after ischemic stroke; 2) patients with hemiparesis after stroke; 3) subjects with poor trunk control; 4) subjects who were in a functional state allowing movements of the upper extremity; 5) muscle tension that allows movement; 6) no severe deficits in communication, memory, or understanding what can impede proper measurement performance;

Exclusion Criteria: 1) lack of possibility to adjust the orthosis to the patient's treated limb, 2) bone instability (non-fused fractures, advanced osteoporosis), 3) permanent contracture of the treated limb, 4) open skin lesions in the area of the treated upper limb, 5) sensory deficits, disturbances, 6) shoulder subluxation or pain 7) increased spasticity, 8) increased involuntary movements, e.g. ataxia, dyskinesia, myoclonic seizures, 9) unstable life functions: contraindications related to the respiratory system or the cardiovascular system (instability or the need to use supportive devices), 10) the need for long-term intravenous therapy, 11) postural instability, 12) contraindication to a sitting position, 13) confused or uncooperative patients, 14) severe cognitive impairment, 15) patients requiring isolation due to infections, 16) severe vision problems (the patient is not in the ability to observe the elements displayed on the computer screen), 17) epilepsy.