The Effects of Different Weight Bearing on Spasticity during Exercise in Stroke Patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different weight bearing on reducing spasticity in stroke patients. Quantity of spasticity was defined as level of associated reaction during exercise. It can be measured by surface integrated EMG levels.Thirty cerebrovascular accident patients (Brunnstrom's stage II-V in upper extremity) performed forward target-touching exercise in sitting position. The exercise was performed with affected shoulder flexion and keeping elbow straight while the associated reaction in same side biceps brachii was monitored by integrated EMG levels and the weight bearing of both feet was measured by 2 weights. All factors influencing spasticity were under control except 3 different weight bearing postures:1 )A-posture: A sand bag was put under sound hip to enhance affected side weight bearing. 2) S-posture: A sand bag was put under affected hip to enhance sound side weight bearing. 3)N- posture: Neutral position without any sand bag. Significant difference (p＜ 0.001) was found in different postures of affected side weight bearing ratio, integrated EMG levels of the affected side biceps brachii and affected side weight shifting ratio. All above 3 had significant correlation relationships(p＜ 0.001) which is the more affected side weight bearing, the less integrated EMG level of affected side biceps brachii. the more the affected side weight shifting ratio. It is concluded that some degrees of affected side weight bearing have the effect on desired normal postural reaction and reduce spasticity during exercise in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.