Impact of Somatosensory Training on Neural and Functional Recovery of Lower Extremity in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Single Blind Controlled Randomized Trial.

Walaa M Ragab,Mye A Basheer,Hager R Elserougy,Nisreen N Al Awaji,Noha F Mahmoud,Hoda M Zakaria,Mahmoud Y Elzanaty,Reem M Alwhaibi

doi:10.3390/ijerph18020583

Abstract

Recovery of lower extremity (LE) function in chronic stroke patients is considered a barrier to community reintegration. An adequate training program is required to improve neural and functional performance of the affected LE in chronic stroke patients. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of somatosensory rehabilitation on neural and functional recovery of LE in stroke patients. Thirty male and female patients were recruited and randomized to equal groups: control group (GI) and intervention group (GII). All patients were matched for age, duration of stroke, and degree of motor impairment of the affected LE. Both groups received standard program of physical therapy in addition to somatosensory rehabilitation for GII. The duration of treatment for both groups was eight consecutive weeks. Outcome measures used were Functional Independent Measure (FIM) and Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG), obtained pre- and post-treatment. A significant improvement was found in the FIM scores of the intervention group (GII), as compared to the control group (GI) (p < 0.001). Additionally, QEEG scores improved within the intervention group post-treatment. QEEG scores did not improve within the control group post-treatment, except for “Cz-AR”, compared to pretreatment, with no significant difference between groups. Adding somatosensory training to standard physical therapy program results in better improvement of neuromuscular control of LE function in chronic stroke patients.

Highlights

Stroke is a common cause of disability in the world [1]
This study aimed to investigate the influence of adding thermal stimulation (TS) augmented with visual, auditory, and tactile somatosensory rehabilitation to standard rehabilitation on the functional recovery of lower extremity (LE) in chronic stroke patients and how that can affect brain activity, using Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG)
The present study investigated the influence of LE somatosensory training on functional improvement and cortical recovery of stroke patients measured by Functional Independent Measure (FIM) and QEEG

Summary

Introduction

Stroke is a common cause of disability in the world [1]. Almost three-quarters of cases occur in low- to middle-income countries, leading to residual motor disabilities and intensive rehabilitation needs [2,3]. Many functions are affected, including both basic and instrumental daily living activities [2] and sensorimotor skills [4].

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