http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/9/1/44/abstract
Abstract (provisional)
Background
The majority of stroke patients have to cope with impaired arm function. Gravity compensation
of the arm instantaneously affects abnormal synergistic movement patterns. The goal
of the present study is to examine whether gravity compensated training improves unsupported
arm function.
Methods
Seven chronic stroke patients received 18 half-hour sessions of gravity compensated
reach training, in a period of six weeks. During training a motivating computer game
was played. Before and after training arm function was assessed with the Fugl-Meyer
assessment and a standardized, unsupported circle drawing task. Synergistic movement
patterns were identified based on concurrent changes in shoulder elevation and elbow
flexion / extension angles.
Results
Median increase of Fugl-Meyer scores was 3 points after training. The training led
to significantly increased work area of the hemiparetic arm, as indicated by the normalized
circle area. Roundness of the drawn circles and the occurrence of synergistic movement
patterns remained similar after the training.
Conclusions
A decreased strength of involuntary coupling might contribute to the increased arm
function after training. More research is needed to study working mechanisms involved
in post stroke rehabilitation training. The used training setup is simple and affordable
and is therefore suitable to use in clinical settings.
full article here:
Hi Dean
ReplyDeleteI have been following your musings since I had a stroke 10 months ago. I have also just discovered the website Stroke Nation which has videos of variety of exercises for the arm. I have found it to be an excellent source of activities.