Comparison of changes in skeletal muscle mass after stroke categorized by the severity of motor dysfunction: a retrospective study

Abstract

[Purpose] To compare changes in skeletal muscle mass after stroke based on the severity of motor dysfunction. [Participants and Methods] This study included 17 patients who had experienced a stroke. Patients were classified into two groups based on lower limb Brunnstrom stages, i.e., those with stages III and IV (moderate motor dysfunction group; n=9), and those with stages V and VI (mild motor dysfunction group; n=8). Muscle mass was measured at the following time points: within 3 days of stroke onset; at 2 weeks ± 2 days after stroke onset; at 4 weeks ± 2 days after stroke onset; at 8 weeks ± 2 days after stroke onset, and muscle mass indices, i.e., the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), paralyzed lower limb muscle mass, and non-paralyzed lower limb muscle mass were evaluated. Changes in these muscle mass indices between stroke onset and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after stroke, i.e., ΔSMI, Δparalyzed lower limb muscle mass, and Δnon-paralyzed lower limb muscle mass, were calculated and the changes in each index over time were compared between the two groups. [Results] The analyses did not reveal any significant intergroup differences. [Conclusion] Even in cases of severe paralysis, appropriate nutritional and exercise therapies may help maintain the muscle mass.