Effect of task-oriented training combined with vibration therapy on upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke

Objective: To study the effect of task-oriented training combined with vibration therapy on upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke. Methods: A total of 108 patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly assigned to control group (patients who received routine upper limb training, n=36), observation group 1 (patients who received routine upper limb training plus vibration therapy, n=36), and observation group 2 (patients who received routine upper limb training plus vibration therapy plus task-oriented training, n=36). Excluding the patients who withdrew from the study, there were 95 cases in total, including 30 cases in the control group, 32 cases in observation group 1 and 33 cases in observation group 2. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), modified Ashworth Spasticity Rating Scale (MAS) score and maximal grip strength of all patients were evaluated and compared after treatment. Results: There was no difference in FMA score among the three groups before treatment (P>0.05). There was no difference in FMA, WMFT, MAS scores and maximal grip strength before and after treatment in the control group (all P>0.05), but there were statistical differences in FMA, MAS scores and maximal grip strength before and after treatment in observation groups 1 and 2 (all P<0.05). After treatment, the FMA score and maximal grip strength in observation group 1 were higher than those in control group while MAS score was lower than that in control group, with statistical difference (all P<0.05). FMA, WMFT scores and maximal grip strength in observation group 2 were higher than those in the control group and observation group 1, while MAS score was lower than that in the other groups, with statistical difference (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Task-oriented training combined with vibration therapy has a significant effect on the rehabilitation of upper limb dysfunction in patients with hemiplegia after stroke, which is worthy of clinical application.