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Efficacy of a dynamic orthosis on the upper limbs in the chronic phase of strokes. A longitudinal study

J. González-Bernal, R. de la Fuente-Anuncibay, J. González-Santos, J.L. Cuesta-Gómez, E. Cubo [REV NEUROL 2017;65:209-215] PMID: 28849862 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.6505.2017072

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Volumen 65 | Number 05 | Nº of views of the article 9.590 | Nº of PDF downloads 574 | Article publication date 01/09/2017

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ABSTRACT

AIMS. Stroke is the most important medical condition leading to permanent disability in adults. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of dynamic orthoses in the rehabilitation of the upper limbs in patients who have had a stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a longitudinal case-control study. The sample used in the study consisted of patients from rehabilitation centres who presented hemiparesis secondary to an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. The patients were randomly distributed into a study group, whose members received a dynamic orthosis on an upper limb for a six-month period, and a control group. Appraisals were performed pre- and post-treatment with the orthosis with Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale and with Wolf Motor Function to measure their command over body functions and activities. Differences between pre- and post-test were compared using ANCOVA and Students t.

RESULTS The sample included 40 patients (65% males) who presented chronic hemiparesis secondary to ischaemic (n = 28) or haemorrhagic stroke (n = 12), with a mean age of 58.43 ± 8.67 years. After the six-month follow-up, improved motor function was observed in both groups, according to both scales. The use of a dynamic orthosis was associated with a tendency towards improved strength in the upper limb.

CONCLUSIONS Rehabilitation following a stroke improves strength and body activities in the upper limb. The use of a dynamic orthosis can further improve the strength in this limb, but additional research is needed to confirm our results. KeywordsBrain damage Dynamic orthosis Rehabilitation Stroke CategoriesPatología vascular

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Original

Efficacy of a dynamic orthosis on the upper limbs in the chronic phase of strokes. A longitudinal study