ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of surface electromyography (sEMG) of the flexors and extensors of the affected fingers after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in the hemiplegic patients after stroke. MethodsFrom April to August, 2020, 50 stroke patients in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University accepted MDSS on the nail beds and the third knuckles of affected fingers, until the fingers extended actively. The tension of affected flexor pollicis brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) before and immediately after stimulation; while the root mean square (RMS) of sEMG of bilateral flexor pollicis brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum were recorded. ResultsThe MAS score of all the muscles decreased after stimulation (|Z| > 2.699, P < 0.01), while the RMS of affected extensor digitorum increased (t = -2.069, P < 0.05). Compared with the unaffected ones, RMS of affected flexor pollicis brevis and extensor digitorum decreased before and after stimulation (t > 2.450, P < 0.05). ConclusionMDSS may immediately relieve the spasm of flexors of hemiplegic fingers after stroke, which associates with the promoting muscle strength of the extensors.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.