| Objective: To evaluate the effects of bilateral movement training on upper limb function in acute stroke patients. Methods: Thirty-six acute stroke patients at their first-ever stroke were enrolled and randomized into two groups: experimental group (EG, n=18) and control group (CG, n=18). Both of two group patients were given the standard therapy. The unilateral movement training was provided to the CG, while bilateral movement training to the EG. The following evaluations were performed before and 12 weeks after treatment: Modified Ashworth Scale-Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand (MAS-S, MAS-E, MAS-W, MAS-H); Fugl Meyer motor assessment scale-Shoulder/Elbow/Forearm, Wrist/Hand (FM-SEF, FM-WH); Modified Bathel Index (MBI). Results: Significant improvement was achieved in both EG and CG in MAS-S, MAS-E, MAS-W, MAS-H, FM-SEF, FM-WH, and MBI (P<0.05) after the treatment. The EG was improved more significantly than CG in MAS-S, MAS-E, MAS-W, and FM-SEF (P<0.05) after the treatment. Conclusion: Bilateral movement training applied to acute stroke patients can decrease the muscle tone of shoulder, elbow and wrist, and help to increase motor recovery of upper limb. |
