Effects of proprioception training on the motor function and ability in the activities of daily living of hemiplegic stroke patients

Objective To study the effects of proprioception training on the motor function and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods Forty hemiplegic stroke patients were divided into study group and a control group ( n =20 in each).The two groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment and pharmacotherapy,but the study group received additional proprioception training.The Technobody proprioceptive system assessment,the Fugl-Meyer lower limb assessment (FMA),the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the modified Barthel index (MBI) were used to evaluate their proprioceptive ability,lower limb motor function,balance and ADL ability,before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results After 4 weeks,proprioception,lower limb motor function,balance and ADL ability had all improved significantly in the experimental group.Lower limb motor function,balance and ADL ability had also improved significantly in the control group,but they showed no significant change in their average proprioceptive ability.The improvement in the experimental group was superior to that of the control group in terms of proprioceptive ability,balance and ADL ability. Conclusions Proprioception training can improve the motor function (including the proprioception and balance) and ADL ability of hemiplegic stroke patients. Key words: Proprioception training; Stroke; Hemiplegia; Balance; ADL ability