Abstract

BILATERAL OBJECT EXPLORATION TRAINING TO IMPROVE THE HAND FUNCTION IN STROKE SUBJECTS

Author(s):Janakiraman Balamurugan, Paulraj Anantha raja, Mahil.A, Venkatraj R

Recovery of upper extremity sensory and motor function is still one of the complicated and an under achieved task in rehabilitation of the stroke subjects. We believed that object exploration training could play a role in improving the sensory function that helps to improve the motor and overall functions of the hand in stroke subjects. This study attempts to establish the efficacy of Bilateral Object Exploration Training on improving the hand function in stroke subjects. The study design is an experimental study design. Outcome measures are Wolf motor function test score, Moberg pick up test score, 3-D common object identification test score. A total of 60 stroke subjects were selected using random sampling and were allocated into three groups with 20 in each group (Experimental Group-Bilateral object exploration training, Control Group 1-Unilateral object exploration training, Control Group 2 -Conventional Stroke therapy), the mean age(S.D) of the subjects was 54.4(±10.3) . The groups were respectively treated for six weeks with bilateral object exploration training, unilateral object exploration training, and Conventional Stroke therapy, each subjects were trained for 60 min for 4 days in a week for a total of 24 training sessions after which the post measure were recorded. The mean value of bilateral object exploration training group (between pre and post test scores of WMFT 58.25, 53.25 (in seconds), Moberg pick up test scores58.70, 55.95 (in seconds), 3-D Common object identification test scores 59.25, 56.30 (in seconds)) shows significant difference in improvement than unilateral object exploration training group and conventional stroke therapy group. Paired t test and ANOVA was used to analyze the research data, the results showed that the values of bilateral object exploration training group shows significant difference than control group 1 and control group 2, ANOVAs shows significance level (p<0.001).Bilateral object exploration training proves to provide tactile experience, improve explorative skills and there by enhance performance of motor task.

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