Effect of repetitive arm cycling on gross motor activity in stroke patients / Adel Ahmad Hassan Ahmad Algeoshy ; Supervised Osama Mohammad Rashad , Abeer Abobakr Elwishy , Ehab Shaker Belal

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular and Neurosurgery

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of repetitive arm cycling on gross motor activity in stroke patients. Subjects and methods: Thirty stroke patients from both sexes were assigned into two equal groups, a control and a study group. The control group received a traditional physical therapy program whereas, the study group received traditional physical therapy program, in addition to a repetitive arm cycling training conducted by the Motomed device. The patients were assessed clinically by the Motricity Index Scale , Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) , Elbow flexion range of motion (ROM) by electrogoneometer and MOTOmed muscle tone, in addition to maximum cycling force measured by the motomed device which was recorded before and after treatment. Results: There was no significant difference after treatment in control group regarding MAS and maximum cycling force. However, there was a significant improvement after treatment in motricity index (MI), active elbow flexion ROM and MOTOmed muscle tone. In study group, there was a highly significant improvement in all parameters after treatment. When comparing both control and study groups after treatment, there was no significant difference regarding MAS and MI. However, there was a significant improvement in the study group ;compared to the control one; regarding active elbow flexion range of motion, maximum cycling force and MOTOmed muscle tone. Conclusion: Combining Repetitive arm cycling exercise with traditional physical therapy is effective in improving gross motor activity in stroke patients

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