Improvement of Hand Motor Function after Radial Shock Wave Therapy in Chronic Stroke Patients

Abstract

Introduction: The Radial Shock Wave Therapy (RSWT) expected could improve spasticity and hand function in chronic stroke patients. This study aimed to find out the improvement of hand function after RSWT as an additional therapy in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Design study was a randomized controlled trial. The patients were assigned randomly to the experimental group (Infrared, Stretching, and RSWT) and control group (Infrared and Stretching) for six weeks. Hand motor function was measured using Fugl-Meyer Motor Assesment (FMA) before and after intervention. Conclusion: There were improvement of wrist and hand FMA scores in the experimental as well as control group Results: Median of wrist FMA scores in the experimental and control group before intervention were 2 and 3 respectively whereas median of wrist FMA scores in the experimental and control group after intervention were 5 and 4 respectively. Median of hand FMA scores in the experimental and control group before intervention were 4 and 4 respectively whereas median of hand FMA scores in the control and experimental group after intervention were 6 and 5 respectively. The scores of wrist- hand FMA in the control and experimental group after intervention were increased P = 0.001P < 0.001 (wrist) and P = 0.001 P < 0.001 (hand) respectively. However, difference increased of wrist and hand FMA scores in the experimental group after intervention were more significant. Keywords: Spasticity, Hand Function, Stroke, Radial Shock Therapy, Fugl-Meyer Motor Assesment