The comparison between unilateral and bilateral movement training on upper limb function in hemiplegic patients

authors:

avatar Ahmad Mohammadi 1 , * , avatar Mahnaz Talebi 2 , avatar Naser Havaei 1

Dept. of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Dept. of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences: Vol.17, issue 2; e77124
published online: May 29, 2013
article type: Research Article
received: September 09, 2012
accepted: December 11, 2012

how to cite: Mohammadi A, Talebi M, Havaei N. The comparison between unilateral and bilateral movement training on upper limb function in hemiplegic patients. J Kermanshah Univ Med Sci. 2013;17(2):e77124. 

Abstract

Background: Bilateral activities are novel methods which are used for refreshing hemiplegic patients. But there are a lot of controversies regarding their efficiency. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of unilateral with bilateral arm training on upper arm function in patients with hemiplegic disorders.
Methods: In a clinical trial 23 hemiplegic patients were selected for the study using available sampling procedure. Then they were divided into two groups of unilateral (12) and bilateral (11) employing random assignment. The treatment included 8 weeks and each week consisted of three one-hour sessions. It also included 10 designed exercises based on function improvement periods in Brunnstrom´s stages of function recovery which were designed according to day life of patient. Patients were assessed using (FMUMFA) pre and post intervention test.  
Results: Both groups had significant improvements on the upper limb function (p=0.001, p<0.05), but no significant differences were found in improvement of the upper limb functions between unilateral and bilateral training groups.
Conclusion: Although both unilateral and bilateral movement training interventions were effective in upper limb function, bilateral training had no more effective function compared with unilateral training.

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