Impaired Upper Limb Motor Function in Post-stroke Patients and Its Impact on Trunk Control and Mobility: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of impaired upper limb motor function on trunk control and mobility in chronic post-stroke survivors so that the upper limb function should be enhanced as a core component of rehabilitation. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March ۲۰۲۱ to August ۲۰۲۱ at the Rehabilitation Center for the Physically Disabled in Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of ۱۶۶ chronic stroke patients in the age range of ۳۵ to ۷۰ years and greater than ۶ months post-stroke were included. To assess the impaired upper extremity, the Fugl-Meyer assessment upper extremity scale was used, and the trunk control and mobility were checked through functional reach test and timed up and go test, respectively. Results: Among ۱۶۶ stroke survivors having upper extremity impairment, ۱۰۹(۶۵.۷%) participants’ upper extremity was severely affected. Mobility levels measured through the timed up and go test were categorized and scored; accordingly, the participants showed a low risk of ۲۲(۱۳.۳%), moderate ۳۲(۱۹.۳%), high ۷۲(۴۳.۴%), and very high risk of falls of ۴۰(۲۴%). Among ۱۶۶ patients, ۱۴۷(۸۸.۶%) had no trunk control which resulted in ۸ times greater fall risk in ۶۵(۳۹.۲%) participants. Thus, upper limb impairment is significantly associated with impaired trunk control and mobility (P=۰.۰۰۱). Discussion: This study found about one-third of stroke survivors have a risk of falling, two-thirds have upper extremity impairment, and two-thirds have no trunk control. This study showed a significant reduction in mobility level, balance, and posture balance in stroke survivors having upper extremity impairment. These findings suggest that stroke survivors with upper extremity impairment may use therapeutic intervention to minimize falls and enhance postural balance and trunk control. Coresponding author: Uzair Ahmad, E-mail: azmatuzair۱۲۵@gmail.com You can also search for this author in:  Google Scholar

کلیدواژه ها:

Upper extremity ، Motor skills ، Stroke ، Torso ، Mobility limitation