The impact of a comprehensive support response biofeedback program on patient recovery and quality of life after stroke

Abstract

To assess the impact of a comprehensive support response biofeedback program on patient recovery and quality of life after a stroke during a six-month follow-up. One hundred poststroke patients were followed-up during six months after a course of treatment using a comprehensive program based on biofeedback on the support reaction, including stabilometric training «standing on the platform»; training using a power joystick for a hand on a static stabilometric platform; therapeutic gymnastic exercises for the upper shoulder girdle. Within six months after the course of treatment, there were no statistically significant changes in the motor function of the paretic hand according to the Fugle-Meyer and Ashworth scale. In neuropsychological testing after 3 months, the indicators on MoCA, Stroop, Symbols and Numbers, Schulte, Speech Fluency, and Kohs block design tests did not show negative dynamics. There was a decrease in indicators, which did not reach the values before treatment, after 3 months according to the Digit Span test, delayed recall according to the «memorizing 10 words» test by A.R. Luria After 6 month, there were no changes on MoCA, Symbols and Numbers, Schulte and Kohs block design tests. The decline after 6 months was observed on Speech Fluency, Stroop, Digit Span tests and Delayed Recall on the 10-Word Memory Test. At the same time, there was a positive dynamic of indicators of emotional status, activity of daily life and functional activity after 3 and 6 months of follow-up, the indicator of the quality of life of patients improved after 6 months. Persistent therapeutic effect of the complex program carried out for 6 months was noted in relation to motor disorders in the paretic hand. There is an improvement in the emotional state, functional status, quality of life. When assessing cognitive functions, the therapeutic effect is stable for 3 months according to most scales. At the same time, the decrease in cognitive testing indicators on individual scales, in our opinion, determines the feasibility of repeated courses of treatment in three to six months in order to prevent the progression of disorders.