A Comparison of the effect of resistance training on upper extremity motor function, motor recovery, and quality of life in sub-acute stroke participants

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Previous literature could not find sufficient evidence to support the use of resistance training (RT) protocol and its effect on stroke. Most of the studies were small and of moderate quality. Recommended in previous study that well-design randomized controlled trials with structured protocol are needed to determine the optimal exercise prescription. Hence, the objective of this study was to design a structured protocol of RT for sub-acute ischemic stroke subjects with moderate upper limb impairments. The primary aim of this study was to find the effect of RT on upper extremity (UE) motor recovery, motor function, and secondary aim was to find the effect of RT on health-related quality of life in stroke participants. Materials and Methods: There was total number of 40 participants, out of which 20 were in RT group and 20 were in conventional therapy (CT) group. Both the RT group and CT group received the same usual care rehabilitation programs for 30 min, and additionally, had each of their own therapies for 50 min per session, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The action reach arm test (ARAT), manual muscle testing (MMT), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and stroke-specific quality of life (SS-QOL) were used as an outcome measure to assess gross manual dexterity, motor recovery of UE, and quality of life at preintervention and postintervention. Results: At baseline, participants of both group showed no significant differences regarding ARAT, MMT, FMA, and SS-QOL scores but after 8 weeks of intervention, participants of both group showed statistically significant improvements in all the variables measured (P < 0·05). Moreover, participants of the RT group had greater improvement in all variables compared to CT group. Conclusion: The present study confirms that structured protocol used for RT is an effective treatment technique to improve UE motor recovery, motor function, and quality of life in stroke participants compare to CT. It is cost-effective, easy, and safe method for rehabilitation and most important can be easily administered at home by the participants.