Evaluation of clinical outcomes of patients with post-stroke wrist and finger spasticity after ultrasonography-guided BTX-A injection and rehabilitation training

Intra-rater reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change of two muscle compressibility measurement methods using ultrasonography in spastic hand flexor muscles

PURPOSE

Calculate the intra-rater reliability of measuring muscle compressibility for spastic hand flexors using ultrasonography in two different methods among post-stroke patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 54.50 ± 9.44 participated in this study. Muscle compressibility was measured using two methods in the middle of forearm at the ulnar side: longitudinal and transverse scanning. All measurements were conducted over 2 days with a 24-h interval. Standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were also calculated.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that measuring muscle compressibility through longitudinal scanning had excellent reliability (0.902) falling within the good to excellent range (0.789-0.956) and the reliability of transverse scanning was considered good (0.846) with a range from moderate to excellent (0.679-0.930). The SEM and MDC values were 1.55 and 4.28 for longitudinal scanning and 2.27 and 6.27 for transverse scanning methods, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The measurement of muscle compressibility in the spastic hand flexor muscles of post-stroke patients is a reliable assessment method, whether longitudinal or transverse. However, the lower values of SEM and MDC for the longitudinal scanning method show that this method may be more sensitive to changes than the transverse scanning method and has a greater precision in measurement.Implications for RehabilitationCompressibility is a relatively new parameter in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasonography that is calculated from muscle thickness measurements to evaluate muscle elasticity.The compressibility parameter can be used to evaluate treatment methods that claim to reduce or manage muscle spasticity.The lower values of standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change for the longitudinal scanning method show that this method may be more sensitive to changes than the transverse scanning method and has a greater precision in measurement.

Localisation of the centre of the highest region of muscle spindle abundance of anterior forearm muscles

The centre of the highest region of muscle spindle abundance (CHRMSA) in the intramuscular nerve-dense region has been suggested as the optimal target location for injecting botulinum toxin A to block muscle spasms. The anterior forearm muscles have a high incidence of spasticity. However, the CHRMSA in the intramuscular nerve-dense region of the forearm anterior muscle group has not been defined. This study aimed to accurately define the body surface position and the depth of CHRMSA in an intramuscular nerve-dense region of the anterior forearm muscles. Twenty-four adult cadavers (57.7 ± 11.5 years) were included in this study. The curved line close to the skin connecting the medial and lateral epicondyles of the humerus was designated as the horizontal reference line (H line), and the line connecting the medial epicondyle of the humerus and the ulnar styloid was defined as the longitudinal reference line (L line). Modified Sihler's staining, haematoxylin-eosin staining and computed tomography scanning were employed to determine the projection points (P and P') of the CHRMSAs on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the forearm. The positions (PH and PL) of point P projected onto the H and L lines, and the depth of each CHRMSA, were determined using the Syngo system. The PH of the CHRMSA of the ulnar head of pronator teres, humeral head of pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, ulnar part of flexor digitorum superficialis, radial part of flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicis longus, ulnar part of flexor digitorum profundus, radial portion of flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus muscles were located at 42.48%, 45.52%, 41.20%, 19.70%, 7.77%, 25.65%, 47.42%, 53.47%, 12.28%, 38.41% and 51.68% of the H line, respectively; the PL were located at 18.38%, 12.54%, 28.83%, 13.43%, 17.65%, 32.76%, 57.32%, 64.12%, 20.05%, 45.94% and 88.71% of the L line, respectively; the puncture depths were located at 21.92%, 27.25%, 23.76%, 18.04%, 15.49%, 31.36%, 26.59%, 41.28%, 38.72%, 45.14% and 53.58% of the PP' line, respectively. The percentage values are the means of individual values. We recommend that the body surface puncture position and depth of the CHRMSA are the preferred locations for the intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A to block anterior forearm muscle spasms.

Perspectives of Motor Functional Upper Extremity Recovery with the Use of Immersive Virtual Reality in Stroke Patients

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability, including loss of hand manipulative skills. It constitutes a major limitation in independence and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Among the numerous accessible physiotherapeutic methods, it is becoming more common to apply Virtual Reality "VR”. The aim of this study was to establish whether immersive VR was worth considering as a form of physical therapy and the advisability of applying it in restoring post-stroke hand function impairment. A proprietary application Virtual Mirror Hand 1.0 was used in the research and its effectiveness in therapy was compared to classical mirror therapy. A total of 20 survivors after ischaemic stroke with comparable functional status were divided into a study group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Diagnostic tools included 36-Item Short Form Survey “SF-36” and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity “FMA-UE”. Collected metrics showed a normal distribution and the differences in mean values were tested by the student’s t-test. In both, the study and control groups’ changes were recorded. A statistically significant outcome for FMA-UE and SF-36 measured by the student’s t-test for dependent or independent samples (p > 0.05) were obtained in both groups. Importantly, proven by conducted studies, an advantage of VR proprietary application was subjective sensations amelioration in pain and sensory impressions. Applying Virtual Mirror Hand 1.0 treatment to patients after a stroke appears to be a good solution and definitely provides the opportunity to consider VR applications as an integral part of the neurorehabilitation process. These results give a basis to plan further larger-scale observation attempts. Moreover, the development of the Virtual Mirror Hand 1.0 as an innovative application in physiotherapy may become equivalent to classical mirror therapy in improving the quality and effectiveness of the treatment used for post-stroke patients.

Design and Development of an Upper Limb Rehabilitative Robot with Dual Functionality

The design of an upper limb rehabilitation robot for post-stroke patients is considered a benchmark problem regarding improving functionality and ensuring better human–robot interaction (HRI). Existing upper limb robots perform either joint-based exercises (exoskeleton-type functionality) or end-point exercises (end-effector-type functionality). Patients may need both kinds of exercises, depending on the type, level, and degree of impairments. This work focused on designing and developing a seven-degrees-of-freedom (DoFs) upper-limb rehabilitation exoskeleton called ‘u-Rob’ that functions as both exoskeleton and end-effector types device. Furthermore, HRI can be improved by monitoring the interaction forces between the robot and the wearer. Existing upper limb robots lack the ability to monitor interaction forces during passive rehabilitation exercises; measuring upper arm forces is also absent in the existing devices. This research work aimed to develop an innovative sensorized upper arm cuff to measure the wearer’s interaction forces in the upper arm. A PID control technique was implemented for both joint-based and end-point exercises. The experimental results validated both types of functionality of the developed robot.

Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with stroke

BACKGROUND

Spasticity is a major problem in patients with stroke and influences their activities of daily living, participation, and quality of life. The Modified Ashworth Scale is widely used to assess spasticity. However, the responsiveness and minimal clinically important differences of the Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with stroke have not been explored.

AIM

This study aims to examine the responsiveness and minimal clinically important differences of the Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with stroke.

DESIGN

Longitudinal six-month follow-up study.

SETTING

Rehabilitation wards of a tertiary hospital.

POPULATION

One-hundred and fifteen patients with stroke were recruited.

METHODS

All patients underwent the assessment of Modified Ashworth Scale for the upper extremity (flexors of the elbow, wrist, and fingers) and the lower extremity (hip adductor, knee flexor, and ankle plantar flexor) at baseline and 6-month follow-up. The average Modified Ashworth Scale scores of the upper and lower extremity muscles were obtained for analysis. Responsiveness of the Modified Ashworth Scale was determined using standardized mean response, and the minimal clinically important differences were determined using a distribution-based approach with Effect Sizes of 0.5 and 0.8 standard deviations.

RESULTS

The responsiveness of the Modified Ashworth Scale in the upper and lower extremity muscles was marked (standardized response mean = 0.89-1.09). The minimal clinically important differences of the average Modified Ashworth Scale of Effect Sizes 0.5 and 0.8 standard deviations for the upper extremity muscles were 0.48 and 0.76, respectively, while those for the lower extremity muscles were 0.45 and 0.73, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Modified Ashworth Scale was markedly responsive in detecting the changes in muscle tone in patients with stroke. The minimal clinically important differences of the Modified Ashworth Scale reported in this study can be used by researchers and clinicians in determining whether the observed changes are clinically meaningful post-treatment or at follow-up.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The minimal clinically important differences of the Modified Ashworth Scale reported in this study will enable clinicians and researchers in determining whether changes in the muscle tone are true and clinically meaningful, and can be used as a reference for clinical decision-making.

Evaluating the functional outcomes of ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injections using the Euro-musculus approach for upper limb spasticity treatment in post-stroke patients: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injection is an effective treatment for spasticity. Euro-musculus spasticity approach is a new method for administering injections to the correct point of the correct muscle. The clinical outcomes of this practical approach are not yet available in the literature.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on spasticity and the functional outcomes of ultrasound guided botulinum toxin type A injections via the Euro-musculus spasticity approach to treat upper limb spasticity in post-stroke patients.

DESIGN

Observational study.

SETTING

Inpatient post-stroke patients.

POPULATION

Twenty-five post-stroke patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity were recruited.

METHODS

The ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injections were administered into the spastic target muscles using the Euro-musculus spasticity approach, and all of the patients were enrolled in rehabilitation programs after the injections. This research included the innervation zone and injection site figures and ultrasound images of each muscle in the upper limb. The degree of spasticity was assessed via the Modified Ashworth Scale and the upper limb motor function via the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale at the baseline and 4 and 12 weeks after the botulinum toxin type A injection.

RESULTS

Significant decreases in the Modified Ashworth Scale scores of the upper limb flexor muscle tone measured 4 and 12 weeks after the botulinum toxin type A injection were found when compared to the baseline scores (P<0.025). When compared with the baseline Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity subgroup scores, the sitting position, wrist and total scores at 4 and 12 weeks were significantly improved (P<0.025). However, only the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity hand scores were significantly improved 12 weeks after the injection (P<0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injection via the Euro-musculus spasticity approach is a practical and effective method for administering injections to the correct point of the correct muscle. Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injections combined with rehabilitation programs decrease spasticity and improve the upper extremity motor functions in stroke patients.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

This new approach for ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injection is very practical and effective method for upper extremity spasticity.