Abstract
ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the effects of functional strengthening (using functional movements) and analytical strengthening (using repetitive movements) on level of activity and muscular strength gain in patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke.MethodA randomized, assessor-blinded trial was conducted in a therapist-supervised home rehabilitation program. Twenty-seven patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated one of two groups: functional strengthening (FS) (n=13) and analytical strengthening (AS) (n=14). Each group received a five-week muscle strengthening protocol (30 minutes per day, three times per week) including functional movements or analytical movements, respectively. Pre-, post-, and ten-month follow-up outcomes included the Upper-Extremity Performance Test (primary outcome), Shoulder and Grip Strength, Active Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) (secondary outcomes).ResultsThere was significant improvement in the Upper-Extremity Performance Test for the combined unilateral and bilateral task scores in the FS Group (mean difference 2.4; 95% CI=0.14 to 4.6) in the 10-month follow-up. No significant difference was observed between groups in the other outcomes (p>0.05).ConclusionA five-week home-based functional muscle strengthening induced positive results for the upper-extremity level of activity of patients with moderate impairment after chronic stroke.
Highlights
Stroke often causes significant disability[1]
This study was performed to determine the effect of functional and analytical strength training on UE activity levels in patients with chronic stroke. Observations made in this randomized trial partially confirmed our preliminary hypothesis
Morphological and physiological changes in motor units have been observed in patients with chronic stroke[12,13], earlier studies reported the possibility of improving muscle strength in the UE4,22,28,42 with rehabilitation that included muscle strength training
Summary
Stroke often causes significant disability[1]. Upper‐extremity (UE) function is one of the most persistent and significant stroke-related physical impairments[2]. UE weakness occurs frequently after stroke and may compromise activities of daily living and limit function in individuals with hemiparesis[3,4]. Muscular strength deficits are not always the main outcome following neurological damage. It can accompany other motor problems and is recognized as a limiting factor for rehabilitation[5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Muscular weakness is associated with loss of motor units, deficient motor unit recruitment, inadequate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
