IMPACT OF PRESSURE WORKLOAD EXERCISES ON FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OF HEMIPLEGIC PATIENTS

OBJECTIVES Stroke is the progressive neurological disorder with the global prevalence of around 2.67%. Many patients with hemiplegic stroke encounter mobility restriction, particularly having difficulty with independent walking. Pressure Workload exercises will help to improve active daily living (ADLs), balance problems and muscular weakness in stroke patients. The present study aims to identify the effects of pressure workload exercises on reducing functional limitations and disability in stroke survivors. METHOD A Randomized control trial (RCT) was conducted on sixty (60) patients recruited from the outpatient departments of different hospitals in Karachi. The patients were randomly assigned in one of the two groups after making the initial assessment on Barthel index. Control group received conventional physiotherapy treatment including active or active assisted range of motion exercises, stretching of upper and lower limbs, weight bearing and balancing exercises whereas the experimental group received pressure workload exercises of upper and lower limbs and 20 minutes gait training. RESULTS Pressure workload exercise significantly improves functional activities and quality of life (QoL) of hemiplegic patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The study concluded that pressure workload exercises are more effective in improving the quality of life (QoL) among hemiplegic patients and are found to be more potent in comparison to conventional physical therapy approach in improving the Activity of Daily livings among the stroke survivors.