EFFECTIVENESS OF DYNAMIC WRIST SPLINT ON DELTOID MUSCLE ACTIVITY USING FUNCTIONAL TASK PRACTICE IN POST STROKE PATIENTS

Background: The study is to analyze the effectiveness of dynamic wrist splint on deltoid muscle activity using functional task practice along with strengthening exercises in post stroke patients. Materials and Methods: Experimental study with sampling size 30 patients Group A: 15 patients. Group B: 15 patients. Sampli ng method is convenient random sampling. Intervention period: 4 weeks. Settings: Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospita l, Vasanth nagar, Bangalore. The patient will be received; history will be taken; explained about the treatment session and informed written consent will be taken. Patient will be made to sit comfortably. Check for safety i. e.; with arm rest, back rest if necessary provide cushion. Dynamic wrist splint of appropriate size will be taken ; checked for fitting of the splint for any compression and avoid other complications The initial muscle activity prior to treat- ment will be measured using EMG for deltoid. Group A: The patient will be asked to perform a given s et of activities or tasks with splint. Group B: The patient will be asked to perform a given set of activi ties or tasks without splint Each session would last for 30 minutes and frequency of 3-4 times per week. At the en d of treatment, surface EMG for deltoid is taken to check for the effectiveness of use of splint with wor k task during the rehabilitation program. Results: After 4weeks treatment period, the subjects in the group A were com- pared with the subjects in the group B. Group B had shown a significant difference with outcome meas ures when compared to group A Conclusion: It is evident from the results that the subjects who used the thumb abduction supinator splint showed significant level of improvement in function and increase in delto id muscle activity when compared with subjects who did not use the splint as quantified using Fugl Meyer Scale for Upper Extremity and Surface EMG