A Study to Analyze the Effect of Bilateral Arm Training in the Management of Upper Limb Motor Function among Stroke Subjects

Abstract

To find out the efficacy of bilateral arm training in the management of upper limb motor function in stroke patients. The study used an experimental design and the study setting was at R.V.S multi-specialty Hospital Sulur, Coimbatore. Thirty patients with left MCA hemiplegia between the age group of 50–60, were assigned into two treatment groups. The first group (n=15) treated with conventional methods. The second groups were treated with bilateral arm training techniques. Both the group received treatment for 15 days. Upper limb motor function was measured using Motor Assessment scale, prior to and at the end of treatment program. Both groups showed significant improvement in upper limb motor function after the rehabilitation program. The bilateral arm training group showed statistically significant improvement in upper limb motor function when compared to the conventional physiotherapy group at 0.005 levels of significance. Hemiplegic patients who received bilateral arm training techniques showed a statistically significant improvement in upper limb motor function than conventional physiotherapy group. A well designed trial is needed to study the effectiveness of bilateral arm training technique in improving upper limb motor function in large group and to know its long term effect.

Keywords:  Stroke, bilateral arm training techniques, upper limb motor function

Cite this Article

Shaju M.K. Franklin. A Study to Analyze the Effect of Bilateral Arm Training in the Management of Upper Limb Motor Function among Stroke Subjects. Research and Reviews: Journal of Neuroscience (RRJoNS). 2015; 5(2): 29–43p.