[Comparision of rehabilitation plus joystick versus routine rehabilitation treatment on hand muscles stiffness in hemiplegic patients]

Disabilities in upper limb due to stroke are the major problems in hemiplegic patients. Recently, joystick method as new method is applied for the improvment of upper limb disabilities. This study was carried out to compare the effect of joystick in combination verses routine rehabilitation and routine rehabilitation program on hand muscles stiffness in hemiplegic patients. In this clinical trial study, 12 hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into two control and interventional groups. Subjects in the control group were received rehabilitation program with placebo joystick. Patients in interventional group were received joystick treatment with routine rehabilitation program for 10 sessions, 3 times a week. Pre and post-treatment evaluation was performed based on Wrist Robo Hab method. Flexion and pronation muscle stiffness in control patients showed non significant improvement, but in the interventional group, significant improvement were observed [P<0.05]. At the end of study, there was not any significant difference between control and interventional group. According to this finding, there was not any significant difference between the combination of joystick and rehabilitation treatment and routine rehabilitation program on the hand muscle function in hemiplegic patients

Comparison of low frequency rTMS and rehabilitation combination therapy with rehabilitation on motor function and grip force of the upper limbs in hemiplegic patients

Disabilities of upper extremities, as a sequela of stroke, often result in permanent functional complications which have received less attention in comparison to lower limb disabilities. Magnetic stimulation is a new therapeutic method which is used for induction of currents in the brain. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of magnetic stimulation on the wrist and elbow joints movements and grip force with that of routine rehabilitation. 12 hemiplegic patients were assigned to two groups. Patients in group I, received routine rehabilitation with placebo magnetic stimulation, and patients in group II, received magnetic stimulation with routine rehabilitation for 10 session, 3 times a week. Pre and post treatment evaluations were performed by use of Barthel index, Fugl-Meyer Motor Impairment Scale and dynamometer. In group I, Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indexes showed significant improvement, but no significant improvement noted in the rate of grip force. Group II, showed significant improvement in Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indexes and rate of grip force. When conventional treatment is not effective, rTMS can improve force and function of hand muscles in chronic hemiplegic patients