Relationship between post-stroke spasticity and functional ambulation among Nigerian stroke survivors

Abstract

Ambulation is a common goal of stroke rehabilitation that is often linked to lower limb spasticity. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between paretic lower limb spasticity and functional ambulation after stroke. Thirty stroke survivors (19 males) aged 57.77 ± 9.52 years participated in this correlational cross-sectional study. Spasticity of the paretic lower limb was assessed using the Modified Tardieu Scale. Functional ambulation performance was assessed using the Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (E-FAP). Data were analyzed using Pearson's product moment correlation and stepwise regression analysis at p = 0.05. Spasticity was highest in the ankle plantaflexors (253.20 ± 32.62°). There was a significant relationship between spasticity of the affected lower limb and functional ambulation performance (r=0.61; p<0.05). Stepwise regression analysis indicated that only spasticity of the ankle plantaflexors predicted functional ambulation. Spasticity of the paretic ankle plantaflexors has discriminative power for predicting functional ambulation. This underscores the need for focused rehabilitation aimed at reducing spasticity of ankle plantaflexors for improved functional ambulation among stroke survivors.

Comparison between Task-Oriented Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercise on Upper Extremity Function in Spastic Cerebral Palsy

“…Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) integration patterns stimulate proprioceptors in muscles and tendons, effectively maximizing the exercise unit's reaction (Kumar et al, 2016;Basak and Biswas, 2016;). Utilizing maximum resistance in spiral and diagonal movements, PNF promotes a larger neuromuscular response and exploration of postural reflex and prioritizes eccentric muscle contraction, which is particularly beneficial for hemiplegic patients (Chen et al, 2005;Lindquist et al, 2011;Olubukola et al, 2021). When addressing hand function impairment, the goal is to enhance the functional use of hands for everyday tasks, recognizing the collaborative nature of bimanual performance (Basak and Dutta, 2016;Nikolovska et al, 2023).…”