A Patient with Post-stroke Right Hemiplegia Showed Improved Finger Dexterity after Physical Therapy for the Trunk and Scapular Region of the Affected Side: Examination of the Effects of Physical Therapy using Surface Electromyography

Abstract

We administered physical therapy to a patient with post-stroke right hemiplegia who had difficulty eating with the fingers of the affected hand. The functioning of the fingers was preserved, but their dexterity decreased because the affected upper limb could not maintain forward elevation. We believed that instability of the trunk and scapular region of the affected side influenced finger movements of that side. Therapeutic gain, after providing physical therapy to the trunk and affected shoulder region, was assessed using surface electromyography. Alignment of the trunk and affected shoulder region as well as feeding activity improved. Surface electromyography evaluation during forward elevation of the affected upper limb showed an improvement in the muscle activation pattern. Stability of the chest and scapula was necessary to attain finger dexterity in this patient.