Research of correlation between limb heaviness and muscle strength, post-stroke fatigue in stroke patients

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between limb heaviness and muscle strength, post-stroke fatigue (PSF) in stroke patients. Methods A total of 110 stroke patients were selected. The general information scale, Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Modified Barthel Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were used to assess limb heaviness and muscle strength, PSF, and functional status. And to research the relationship of limb heaviness and muscle strength, PSF in stroke patients. Results The incidence of limb heaviness in stroke patients was 40.91% (45/110). FSS and Modified Barthel Score showed significant difference in whether patients have limb heaviness (t=-3.244, P=0.002; t=2.019, P=0.046). Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the FSS score was positively related with limbs heaviness (r=0.384, P=0.000), but muscle strength, Modified Barthel Score, Modified Rankin Score had no correlation with limbs heaviness (r=0.091, P=0.346; r=0.185, P=0.053; r=0.132, P=0.132). Conclusion A higher incidence of stroke patients with limb heaviness. The change of muscle strength won′t promote limbs heaviness, but patients with PSF were easier to concurrent limbs heaviness, also affect the ability of the patients life, should be highly valued by medical workers, and have to intervention. Key words: Stroke; Limb heaviness; Muscle strength; Post-stroke fatigue