Effects of ULEM apparatus on motor function of patients with stroke. m.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of upper limbs' encircling motion (ULEM) apparatus on motor function of patients with stroke.


METHODS
This study adopted a single-blind, prospective, randomized control design. From July 2003 to September 2005, 44 inpatients suffering from stroke in Jiangsu Province Hospital were enrolled in this study. All the subjects were randomized into two groups.


METHODS
Group A received ULEM therapy and conventional physical therapy (PT) aand group B received PT only. Blood pressure, pulse, Brunnstrom stage and Barthel Index were tested before and after 20 days' treatment.


RESULTS
In group A, according to Brunnstrom stage, the effective rates of hand, upper extremities and lower extremities were 20.0%, 80.0% and 100.0%, respectively, and the total effective rate improved significantly compared to that of group B (p < 0.05), especially lower extremities (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in Barthel Indexes between two groups (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
ULEM apparatus can significantly improve integrative motor function of extremities of patients with stroke. It is a safe and effective treatment.
Wang
Tong
T
First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China. wangtong60621@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Xiang
X
Wang
Hongxing
H
He
Xiaoyuan
X
Su
Jianxin
J
Zhu
Yi
Y
Dong
Yan
Y
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009068:Movement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*