The relationship between hemiplegic Upper Extremity function and Activities of Daily Living in stroke patients

Abstract

The relationship between hemiplegic Upper Extremity function and Activities of Daily Living in stroke patients.

Objective: The purpose this study was to investigate the relationship between Upper extremity's function and Activities of Daily Living(ADL) in stroke patients. For this study, carefully designed cross-sectional study was subjected to total 112 stroke patients who underwent occupational therapy: 62 males and 50 female.

Method: In June 2010 to August 2011, 112 stroke patients from a general hospital in Seoul, 1 rehabilitation hospital and 1 rehabilitation clinic in Gyeonggido were studied and an occupational therapist used MFT(Manual Function Test), MBI(Modified Bathel Index) to analyze. The correlation between upper extremity's function(MFT) and ADL function(MBI) was statistically analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient. And Multiple linear regression were used to determine whether the independent variables contributed to ADL function(MBI). The livel of statistical significance of all the data were maintained at p<.05.

Results: The major findings of this study were as follows: 1) MFT(Manual Function Test) of both unaffected upper limbs and affected upper limbs were significantly correlated with total MBI(Modified Bathel Index) score. 2) The all sub-items of MFT on the affected upper limbs were significantly correlated with total MBI score. 3) Significant factors influencing MBI, both unaffected upper limbs and affected upper limbs total score. 4) Significant factors influencing sub-items of MBI, the function of affected upper limbs by MFT were MBI all sub items exculsive bowel, bladder control and the function of unaffected upper limbs by MFT were personal hygiene, bathing, feeding, toilet, bowel & bladder control, chair/bed transfer of MBI sub items.

Conclusion: Above results show that ADL is highly correlated with affected upper limbs and unaffected upper limbs function in the stroke patients. So, understanding of the relationship between ADL function and upper extremity's function will be helpful for the therapist to conduct efficient therapy to thease patients.