ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the effect of using a walking support band on the gait of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a walking support band group ( n=20), an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) group ( n=20) and a conventional rehabilitation group ( n=20). All three groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the AFO group members were additionally provided with an ankle-foot orthosis and the walking support band group members received training wearing a walking support band. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, all three groups were evaluated using three-dimensional gait analysis. Results:A total of 57 patients finished the study. After the interventions, the average step speed, frequency and step length of the three groups had all increased significantly, while the average stride width, the percentage of double stance phase, unaffected and affected side stance phase, and the ratio between unaffected and affected side stance phase had all decreased significantly. After the intervention, the average step speed, frequency and length of the AFO and walking support band groups had increased significantly compared with the conventional rehabilitation group, while the average stride width of the AFO group, and the stride width, the percentage of double stance phase and unaffected side stance phase of the walking support band group had decreased significantly. After the treatment, the average percentages of double stance phase and unaffected side stance phase of the walking support band group had decreased significantly more than in the AFO group.Conclusions:A walking support band can significantly improve the abnormal gait of stroke survivors and is superior to an ankle-foot orthosis when combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of robot-assisted upper limb training on the recovery of upper limb motor function after stroke.Methods One hundred patients within one month of suffering a stroke were randomly divided into a control group (50 cases) and a therapy group (50 cases).Both groups were given conventional drug therapy and rehabilitation training,while the therapy group also received robot-assisted training once a day,5 days per week for 12 weeks.The Fugl-Meyer assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE),the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the modified Barthel index (MBI) were used to evaluate the subjects before the experiment and after 4,8 and 12 weeks of treatment.Results During the treatment,the average FMA-UE scores and the average MBI of both groups increased gradually.The treatment group's averages were significantly better than those of the control group at each time point,except that there was no significant difference in elbow and wrist MAS scores.Conclusion Upper limb robots can be used with acute stroke patients in a clinical setting,and they may be beneficial for improving upper limb function and ability in the activities of daily living.