Title of article :
Characteristics Associated with the Differential Activity of Nondominant and Dominant Affected Hands in Patients with Poststroke Right Hemiparesis
Author/Authors :
Lee, Jen-Pei Department of Neurosurgery - Da-Chien General Hospital - Miaoli, Taiwan , Chen , Shuya Department of Physical Therapy - China Medical University - Taichung, Taiwan , Tsai, Chien-Tsung Department of Rehabilitation - Da-Chien General Hospital - Miaoli, Taiwan , Chung, Hsu-Chih Department of Rehabilitation - Da-Chien General Hospital - Miaoli, Taiwan , Chang , Wen-Dien Department of Sport Performance - National Taiwan University of Sport - Taichung, Taiwan
Abstract :
Spontaneous arm use in patients with poststroke hemiparesis is crucial to the recovery of functional interaction. Patients
with stroke and subsequent right hemiparesis have more difficulty adapting to a right-handed environment. The aim of this study
was to use wearable devices to assess the asymmetry and difference in the amount of activity of the nondominant and dominant
affected hands among patients with stroke and right hemiparesis. The real activity of both hands was measured to assess the
correlation with various aspects of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Subjects and
Methods. Patients with stroke and right hemiparesis were recruited. They were divided into two groups according to the affected
hand. Groups A and B comprised patients with affected nondominant and dominant hands, respectively. The Fugl-Meyer
assessment-Upper Extremity (FM-UE) scores, Motor Activity Log (MAL), and hand function domain scores on the Stroke
Impact Scale (SIS) were used for assessment. Patients were asked to wear smart wearable devices on both hands 24 hours a day
for a month. The amount of activity in both hands was recorded and analyzed. Results. A total of 29 patients with stroke were
divided into group A (n= 14 ) and group B (n= 15 ). FM-UE scores were significantly and strongly correlated with the amount of
use (AOU) in the MAL. The recorded differential real activity of both hands in group B was significantly lower than that in
group A. The asymmetry index of hand use was significantly less favorable in group B. However, no significant differences in
AOU in the MAL, FM-UE, and hand function domain in the SIS were identified between the nondominant and dominant
affected hands. Conclusions. The asymmetry and differential activity of both hands were worse in the patients with poststroke
right hemiparesis, whose dominant hand was affected. However, no differences of three aspects of the ICF were found between
dominant and nondominant affected hands
Keywords :
Characteristics Associated , Differential Activity , Dominant Affected Hands , Nondominant , Patients , Poststroke Right Hemiparesis , MAL , FM-UE
Journal title :
Occupational Therapy International
