Effect of Task Oriented Training on Spasticity in Post Stroke Individuals

Abstract

Purpose: Post-stroke spasticity may be maladaptive and interfere with an individual's ability to perform functionally useful movement. However studies investigating how the spasticity relates to motor recovery are rare. Reducing the limb spasticity will help post stroke individuals function better at the activities of daily living. There is a paucity of literature showing the effect of task oriented approach on spasticity when compared to the standard conventional approach. Hence, there is a need to find out the effect of task oriented training on spasticity in post stroke individuals. Methods: A comparative study with a study design of Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT) was conducted among 60 post stroke individuals (30 post stroke individuals in group A and Group B respectively). Group A was given a task oriented approach for managing the spasticity and group B was given conventional treatment along with a task oriented approach to manage the spasticity. The treatment protocol for both the groups lasted for 6 weeks (4 days a week). Results: The mean and standard deviation on the Modified Ashworth Scale of Group A and Group B at baseline is 3.46 ± 0.68 and 3.56 ± 0.72 respectively which shows no significance (p value = 0.2925 and t value = 0.5493). The mean and standard deviation of Group A and Group B at 6 weeks is 2.4 ± 1.04 and 1.33 ± 1.1 respectively which is significant (p value = 0.0003, t value = 3.877.) Conclusion: It can be concluded that task oriented training alone is effective in acute stroke survivors, but in chronic stroke survivors it is not remarkably efficacious and requires a combined approach of task oriented training along with conventional management for finer outcomes.