Upper limbs cycle ergometer increases muscle strength, trunk control and independence of acute stroke subjects: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies demonstrate the benefits of upper limbs cycle ergometer (ULCE) in subacute and chronic stroke subjects, but the literature still needs to explore the acute phase of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Verify the effects of ULCE on muscular strength, trunk control and independence of post-stroke subjects in hospital acute phase. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial participants were allocated into two groups. The control group (CG) performed two daily sessions of conventional physiotherapy, while the intervention group (IG) had one daily session of conventional physiotherapy and one of ULCE. The interventions were carried out for 20 minutes for five days. Both groups were assessed before and after the treatment for upper limbs strength by manual dynamometer, trunk control by Trunk Impairment Scale and level of independence by the Modified Rankin Scale. RESULTS: Twenty subjects with mean ages of 63.5±4.5 were enrolled. There was a significant intra-group difference of palmar grip, shoulder abductors, elbow flexor and wrist extensor strength, trunk control and functional independence only in IG. Inter-group difference for all variables showed superiority in IG. CONCLUSIONS: ULCE is an effective device for increasing muscle strength, trunk control and consequently improving the independence of post-stroke subjects in the acute hospital phase.

Move Bit: um Jogo Sério que melhora a função motora do membro superior de hemiparéticos

“…A perda de FM é uma das alterações mais comuns em pacientes pós-AVC, impactando na realização das AVD's 25 .…”

Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Exercise in Improving Physical Function of Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review

“…Five articles researched aerobic exercise [16][17][18]32,35]: three for lower extremities [16][17][18], and two for the upper body [32,35]. Stuart et al [16]'s adaptive physical activity exercise program (APA), and Manji et al [18]'s combined therapy showed improvement in gait speed.…”

“…Six papers [19,20,22,29,33,35] dealt with the early subacute stage. Cecchi et al [19] and Jong et al [22] used electrical stimulation or robotic rehabilitation focusing on patients diagnosed with stroke 43-46 days previously.…”