The Effect of a Hand-Stretching Device During the Management of Spasticity in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke Patients.
10.5535/arm.2013.37.2.235
- Author:
Eun Hyuk KIM
1
;
Min Cheol JANG
;
Jeong Pyo SEO
;
Sung Ho JANG
;
Jun Chan SONG
;
Hae Min JO
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. jhm090@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Muscle spasticity;
Hand;
Stretch;
Stroke;
Hemiparesis
- MeSH:
Fingers;
Hand;
Humans;
Muscle Spasticity;
Muscles;
Paresis;
Splints;
Stroke;
Thumb
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2013;37(2):235-240
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To describe a hand-stretching device that was developed for the management of hand spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients, and the effects of this device on hand spasticity. METHODS: Fifteen chronic hemiparetic stroke patients with finger flexor spasticity were recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (8 patients) or a control group (7 patients). The stretching device consists of a resting hand splint, a finger and thumb stretcher, and a frame. In use, the stretched state was maintained for 10 minutes per exercise session, and the exercise was performed twice daily for 4 weeks. Spasticity of finger flexor muscles in the two groups was assessed 3 times, 4 weeks apart, using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Patients in the intervention group were assessed twice (pre-1 and pre-2) before and once (post-1) after starting the stretching program. RESULTS: Mean MAS (mMAS) scores at initial evaluations were not significantly different at pre-1 in the intervention group and at 1st assessment in the control group (p>0.05). In addition, no significant differences were observed between mMAS scores at pre-1 and pre-2 in the intervention group (p>0.05). However, mMAS scores at post-1 were significantly lower than that at pre-2 in the intervention group (p<0.05). Within the control group, no significant changes in mMAS scores were observed between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessments (p>0.05). In addition, mMAS scores at post-1 in the intervention group were significantly decreased compared with those at the 3rd assessment in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The devised stretching device was found to relieve hand spasticity effectively in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients.
