The Effect of Scapular Stabilization Exercises on the Upper Extremity in Patients With Chronic Stroke

NCT ID: NCT05609136

Last Updated: 2024-02-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 36 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-10-15
• Study Completion Date: 2023-08-15

Brief Summary

There is still no approved exact treatment for stroke, one of the leading causes of disability. Neurorehabilitation is an important treatment option for stroke patients with anatomical and functional impairments in their interhemispheric connections. However, special techniques with high effectiveness are being investigated to increase the success of general rehabilitation. In this context, scapula-focused stabilization techniques have been used in stroke patients recently. In this randomized controlled study, investigators aimed to examine the effect of scapular stabilization exercises on upper extremity spasticity and motor function in addition to neurorehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke. 22 chronic stroke patients will be included in the study. The patients will be divided into two groups as scapular exercise group and control group using the simple randomization method. Scapular stabilization exercises will be applied in combination with neurorehabilitation to the first group, while only neurorehabilitation will be applied to the control group. A 6-week (30 sessions) neurorehabilitation program will be applied to all groups, specially planned for the patient. Spasticity of the patients participating in the study Modified Ashworth Scale, upper extremity recovery levels Brunnstrom Recovery Stage, upper extremity functions Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale and Wolf Motor Function Test, independence levels Functional Independence Scale , activities of daily living will be evaluated with the Modified Barthel Index and quality of life will be evaluated with the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale. The first evaluation of the patients will be made before the treatment, and each patient will be evaluated after the 6-week exercise program. After all data are collected, in-group and intergroup comparisons will be made.

Conditions

Stroke

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Bobath+ Scapular Stabilization Group

In addition to the Bobath approach, which is one of the neurophysiological treatment methods for the upper extremity, 5 sessions a week for 6 weeks, scapular stabilization exercises will be applied to this group for an additional 6 weeks from the beginning of the treatment. Scapular Stabilization Exercises will be performed with the patient in a sitting position, with the shoulder at 90 degrees and the elbow extended. The patient will be given exercises with isometric contraction while the shoulder is in protraction and retraction by the physiotherapist. Isometric contraction will last for 5 seconds and each exercise will be repeated 2x15 times. There will be a 1-minute rest period between sets. The exercises will be performed in 2 different positions, in the flexion position and in the diagonal position.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Bobath+Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Scapular stabilization exercises will be given to patients in addition to Bobath therapy. It will be applied with the patient in a sitting position, with the shoulder at 90 degrees and the elbow extended. The patient will be given exercises with isometric contraction while the shoulder is in protraction and retraction by the physiotherapist. Isometric contraction will last for 5 seconds and each exercise will be repeated 2x15 times. There will be a 1-minute rest period between sets. The exercises will be performed in 2 different positions, in the flexion position and in the diagonal position.

Bobath Group

The Bobath approach, one of the neurodevelopmental treatment methods for the upper extremities, was applied to all participants included in the study for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Before starting the Bobath exercises, preparation was made with 10 minutes of stretching and upper extremity mobilization. The Bobath approach included functional exercises that patients could perform at home. Bobath program; shoulder flexion, protraction, abduction and extranal rotation; It included extension of the elbow and wrist, extension and opposition of the fingers. After these exercises, task-specific functional upper extremity exercises were performed with or without an object that could help the treatment. These tasks are; required reaching, grasping, or lifting objects such as a cup, pen, cylindrical box, etc., in different body positions. Each session lasted for 1 hour and at the end of each session, patients were given a home exercise program.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Bobath+Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Scapular stabilization exercises will be given to patients in addition to Bobath therapy. It will be applied with the patient in a sitting position, with the shoulder at 90 degrees and the elbow extended. The patient will be given exercises with isometric contraction while the shoulder is in protraction and retraction by the physiotherapist. Isometric contraction will last for 5 seconds and each exercise will be repeated 2x15 times. There will be a 1-minute rest period between sets. The exercises will be performed in 2 different positions, in the flexion position and in the diagonal position.

Interventions

Bobath+Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Scapular stabilization exercises will be given to patients in addition to Bobath therapy. It will be applied with the patient in a sitting position, with the shoulder at 90 degrees and the elbow extended. The patient will be given exercises with isometric contraction while the shoulder is in protraction and retraction by the physiotherapist. Isometric contraction will last for 5 seconds and each exercise will be repeated 2x15 times. There will be a 1-minute rest period between sets. The exercises will be performed in 2 different positions, in the flexion position and in the diagonal position.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18
• 3 months past the stroke history
• No previous history of stroke
• Mini mental test score ≥ 24
• Upper extremity (elbow, wrist and finger) spasticity level to be 1-3 according to Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
• Upper extremity Brunnstrom recovery stage 2-5
• No botulinum toxin injection for the affected upper extremity in the last 6 months
• If he is using antispastic medication, his dose has not been changed in the last 1 month.
• Consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria

• Having any neurological, psychiatric, orthopedic, unstable cardiovascular disease other than stroke
• being pregnant
• Having upper extremity contractures

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Suleyman Demirel University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Huseyin Atceken

MSc Student, Physiotherapist

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Hüseyin Atçeken

Isparta, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Atceken H, Duray M. Effects of scapular stabilization exercises on upper extremity spasticity and motor function in patients post-stroke: a double-blind randomized controlled study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2025 Jun 26:1-14. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2522175. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 40568721 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

268

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id