This study aims to assess the effectiveness of PBT in restoring voluntary muscle contraction during the subacute phase post-stroke and compare it to traditional unilateral treatment methods.
Stroke survivors who experienced significant upper limb weakness and were within six months of stroke onset were eligible to participate. In the PFT group, participants performed a bilateral motor task, coordinated with their own movement, and assisted by a physiotherapist on the affected side. Both arms moved simultaneously, with the unaffected arm serving as a visual cue. In the conventional treatment (CT) group, participants received care in line with post-stroke rehabilitation guidelines.
Each treatment lasted for 1 hour per day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity scale (F-M UE), Functional Independence Measure scale (FIM), Medical Research Council scale (MRC), Dynamometry measures (DYN), modified Ashworth scale and surface Electromyography (sEMG) of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris and radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris and radialis, digitorum flexors and digitorum extensors were administered at the beginning and at the end of training.
The study included 34 participants (mean time since stroke: 3.03±1.99 months; 24 ischemic, 10 hemorrhagic; 17 female, 17 male) randomized into the PBT group (n=24) and CT group (n=10).
Statistically significant improvement was observed within the PBT group for: sEMG amplitude of the biceps p=0.001, sEMG amplitude of the triceps p=0.002, MRC overall p=0.001, DYN p=0.001; F-M UE p=0.001; FIM p=0.001. The CT group improved in their: MRC overall score p=0.021, DYN p=0.022, Ashworth p=0.040).
Comparison between the groups showed significant difference for; sEMG triceps (p=0.039), MRC overall (p=0.001), DYN overall (p=0.001) and F-M UE (p=0.014).
PBT appears to enhance voluntary muscle contraction during the subacute post-stroke phase, potentially priming the motor system for more advanced rehabilitation and functional recovery. These findings suggest that PBT is a promising intervention for stroke survivors.
PBT demonstrates strong potential as an effective approach for enhancing motor function during the subacute phase of stroke recovery. Its integration into future rehabilitation protocols could offer substantial benefits, especially when combined with advanced technologies such as EMG-driven robotic devices. This synergy may further optimize motor recovery and pave the way for more personalized and responsive treatment strategies.
bilateral training
stroke
