BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Thermal stimulation (TS) is commonly used in orthopedic rehabilitation, but the role of TS in the facilitation of sensorimotor recovery in hemiplegic patients remains unknown. This study addressed the issue of TS intervention in the facilitation of functional outcomes. METHODS:Forty-six stroke survivors were randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment and standard treatment plus TS (30 minutes daily for 6 weeks). Twenty-nine patients completed the experiment. Six measures, including Brunnstrom stage, modified motor assessment scale, grasping strength, angles of wrist extension and flexion, sensation by monofilament, and muscle tone by modified Ashworth scale, were performed weekly to evaluate sensory and motor functional outcomes. RESULTS: The performance of Brunnstrom stage and wrist extension and sensation were improved significantly after TS intervention. Recovery rates of 6 measures after TS were significantly higher than those of the control, except for grasping. Similar muscle tones were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: TS on the paretic hand significantly enhances the recovery of several aspects of sensory and motor functions in hemiplegic stroke patients.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thermal stimulation (TS) is commonly used in orthopedic rehabilitation, but the role of TS in the facilitation of sensorimotor recovery in hemiplegic patients remains unknown. This study addressed the issue of TS intervention in the facilitation of functional outcomes. METHODS: Forty-six stroke survivors were randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment and standard treatment plus TS (30 minutes daily for 6 weeks). Twenty-nine patients completed the experiment. Six measures, including Brunnstrom stage, modified motor assessment scale, grasping strength, angles of wrist extension and flexion, sensation by monofilament, and muscle tone by modified Ashworth scale, were performed weekly to evaluate sensory and motor functional outcomes. RESULTS: The performance of Brunnstrom stage and wrist extension and sensation were improved significantly after TS intervention. Recovery rates of 6 measures after TS were significantly higher than those of the control, except for grasping. Similar muscle tones were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: TS on the paretic hand significantly enhances the recovery of several aspects of sensory and motor functions in hemiplegic strokepatients.
Authors: David Beckwée; Lotte Cuypers; Nina Lefeber; Emma De Keersmaecker; Ellen Scheys; Wout Van Hees; Stany Perkisas; Sylvie De Raedt; Eric Kerckhofs; Ivan Bautmans; Eva Swinnen Journal: J Rehabil Med Date: 2022-10-04 Impact factor: 3.959
Authors: Charmayne Mary Lee Hughes; Paolo Tommasino; Aamani Budhota; Domenico Campolo Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2015-03-02 Impact factor: 3.169