《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (2): 204-211.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.02.011

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Features in digitorum muscular tension and shear-wave elastography in hemiplegic patients with stroke before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation

HE Ziyan1a,TANG Xiaoxiao1a,TIAN Yaxing1a,JIANG Fan1b,KAN Xiuli1a,SHEN Xianshan1a,MAO Jing1a,XU Jun1a,LIU Xue1b,WU Jianxian1a,WU Tingting2,HONG Yongfeng1a()   

  1. 1. a. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine; b. Ultrasonography Department, Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
    2. Stomatologic Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
  • Received:2021-09-09 Revised:2022-01-18 Published:2022-02-25 Online:2022-03-09
  • Contact: HONG Yongfeng E-mail:hy_feng@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Clinical Science Foundation Project of Anhui Medical University(2020xkj196)

Abstract:

Objective To demonstrate the changes in flexor digitorum and extensor digitorum tension in the affected hands with shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after manual digitorum sensory stimulation (MDSS) in hemiplegic patients with stroke. Methods A total of 51 hemiplegic post-stroke inpatients in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from April to June, 2020, underwent MDSS completed by a researcher who used a bare thumb and index finger to squeeze each nail bed as well as the sides of each fingertip in the affected hand. The stimulation intensity was the minimum that could cause finger extension without obvious pain, and the interval between two stimulations was five to ten seconds. Muscular tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor pollicis longus and extensor digitorum were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shear-wave velocity (SWV) of SWE on the affected side before and immediately after MDSS. MAS score was -1 as low muscular tension. Results The MAS scores of all the muscles significantly reduced after MDSS (|Z| > 2.843, P < 0.001); while the changes of SWV were not significantly in all the muscles with initially MAS score of 0 or -1 (t < 1.052, P > 0.05), and it reduced in those muscles with initial MAS scores of one to three (t > 2.672, P < 0.05). The SWV were positively correlated with the MAS scores both before and after MDSS (r > 0.334, P < 0.05). Conclusion MDSS can effectively, immediately, and safely relieves muscle spasms of the flexor digitorum and facilitate active finger extension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke. SWE is useful for quantitatively and objectively evaluating muscular tension in the affected hand for hemiplegic patients with stroke.

Key words: stroke, spasticity, manual digitorum sensory stimulation, shear-wave elastography, modified Ashworth Scale

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