Article

We propose a visual myofeedback protocol as a coadjuvant therapy to
standard rehabilitation of post-stroke spastic patients.
We also argue in favor
of the tonic stretch reflex threshold (TSRT) as a more sensitive unit for
quantifying subtle changes in the spastic response that may be induced by
biofeedback training. Method -Sixteen volunteers with ischaemic stroke were
divided into an experimental group (EG), subjected to myofeedback training in
parallel with conventional physical therapy and a control group (CG), receiving
only conventional physical therapy. The EG subjects underwent a six-week
myofeedback training, with two sessions weekly. Both groups followed the same
treatment schedule for physical therapy. The TSRTs of the volunteers' spastic
muscles were assessed before the beginning of the experimental protocol and 3
weeks after it ended. Results Both groups showed some degree of improvement in
the level of spasticity when the final TSRT values were compared to the initial
values. However, the percentage of improvement (after-before) of the experimental
group (38.59%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (18.58%).
Conclusion The myofeedback training provided a significant contribution to
conventional treatment, allowing for a better improvement of the spastic
condition. Implications for rehabilitation Biofeedback is an effective means of
improving motor control of post-stroke spastic patients.
The Tonic Stretch Reflex
Threshold is a more sensitive quantitative measure to assess upper-limb
post-stroke spasticity. Spastic patients who participate in myofeedback training
along with physical therapy can improve faster then those who participate only in
traditional physical therapy rehabilitation protocols.

Langue : ANGLAIS