Publications
Effects of Task-Specific Training after Cognitive Sensorimotor Exercise on Proprioception, Spasticity, and Gait Speed in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Kyung-Hun Kim 1, Sang-Hun Jang 2
Affiliations:
- Department of Physical Therapy, Gimcheon University, 214 Daehak-ro, Gimcheon-si 39528, Korea
- Department of Physical Therapy, Korea National University of Transportation, 61 Daehak-ro, Jeungpyeong-gun 27909, Korea
Journal: Medicina - October 2021, Volume 57, Issue 10, Article no. 1098 (DOI: 10.3390/medicina57101098)
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Treatment evaluation
- Neurology
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy
Background and Objectives: Common problems in stroke patients include loss of proprioception, spasticity, and impaired gait. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of task-specific training (TST) combined with cognitive sensorimotor exercise (CSE) on proprioception, spasticity and gait speed in stroke patients.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven subjects were randomly divided into three groups; (1) the TST after CSE group (Experimental I, n = 13); (2) the TST group (Experimental II, n = 12), and (3) a conventional physical therapy training group (control group, n = 12). Evaluations were performed before the commencement of training and again eight weeks after training was initiated. An electrogoniometer was used to evaluate proprioception variation. The composite spasticity score (CSS) and MyotonPRO were used to evaluate spasticity. In addition, 10 m walk test was used to assess gait speed.
Results: After training, the Experimental I group showed significant improvement in proprioception compared to the Experimental II and control group (p < 0.05). In CSS, gastrocnemius muscle tone (GMT) and gait speed among three groups, Experimental I group differed significantly after eight weeks of training compared to the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the TST combined with CSE provided significant improvements in proprioception, spasticity, and gait speed.
Keywords: cognitive sensorimotor exercise, task-specific, proprioception, spasticity, stroke