Effect of somatosensory stimulation on hand functions in post stroke hemiparetic patients

Abstract

Somatosensory cues provide with the first chance to create a precise movement pattern and execute proper motor control. Somatosensory impairment can exacerbate hemiparesis, either directly because of a stroke or indirectly through the loss of the ability to interact with the environment. This study aims to investigate the effect of somatosensory stimulation on hand functions, dexterity, and handgrip strength in post stroke hemi paretic patients. This study is a randomized control trial research using two group's pre-posttest design. Thirty stroke hemi paretic patients (15 patients’ study (group A) received a selected physical therapy program in addition to somatosensory training., and 15 patients’ control (group B) received a selected physical therapy program only) participated in this study. Their age ranged from 50 to 67years. All patients undergone evaluation of handgrip strength(HGS) using handheld dynamometer, hand dexterity using box block test (BBT) and hand functional activities using Jepsen–Taylor hand function test (JTHFT). Unpaired t-test was conducted for comparison of the mean age between groups and comparison of handgrip strength, box and block test score and JTHFT between groups. Chi-squared test was conducted for comparison of sex distribution between groups.