BILATERAL SYMMETRICAL ARM TRAINING: ITS EFFECT ON ELBOW MUSCLES CO­ CONTRACTION IN STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives ofthis study were to determine the influence of bilateral symmetrical arm training on the co-contraction of the elbow joint flexor and extensor muscles and to find out if there was a correlation between the co­ contraction index and the upper extremity functional activity in stroke patients. Subjects and methods: Thirty stroke patients were assigned into two equal groups, a control and a study group. The control group received traditional physical therapy program, whereas, the study group received traditional physical therapy program, in addition to bilateral symmetrical arm training. The patients were assessed clinically with the Brunstrom-Fugl-Meyer scale which was recorded twice (before and after treatment) and the co-contraction index was calculated four times; before, after two months, after four months and after six months of treatment. Results: There was a significant difference between both groups in The Brunstrom-Fugl­ Meyer scale scores and co-contraction index before and after treatment. Additionally, a high negative correlation was detected between Brunstrom-Fugl­ Meyer scale scores and Co-contraction index. Conclusion: Bilateral symmetrical arm training is effective in improving motor functions of the upper extremity in stroke patients.

Key words: Stroke, Bilateral Symmetrical Arm Training, Co-contraction, EMG