Original Article
J Korean Acad Nurs. 2012 Dec;42(6):783-790. Korean.
Published online Dec 31, 2012.  https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.6.783
© 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science
Effects of Passive Upper Arm Exercise on Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Spasticity in Hemiplegic Patients with Cerebral Vascular Disease
Dong Soon Shin,1 Rhayun Song,2 Eun Kyung Shin,1 Sung Ju Seo,1 Jeong Eun Park,1 Seung Yeon Han,1 Hoi Yong Jung,1 and Choon Ji Ryu1
1Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
2College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to : Song, Rhayun. College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, 6 Munwha 1-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-747, Korea. Tel: +82-42-580-8309, Fax: +82-42-580-8331, Email: songry@cnu.ac.kr
Received April 19, 2012; Revised April 28, 2012; Accepted November 06, 2012.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of passive upper arm exercise on range of motion, muscle strength, and muscle spasticity in hemiplegic patients with cerebral vascular disease.

Methods

A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group was utilized. According to inclusion criteria, 25 patients were assigned to the control group with routine care, followed by 25 to the intervention group with passive exercise for 30 minutes per session, twice a day for 2 weeks. Eighteen patients in the intervention group and 17 in the control group completed the posttest measurement, including range of motion for upper arm joints, manual muscle test, and Modified Ashworth Scale for muscle spasticity.

Results

The intervention group had a significantly improved range of motion in the shoulder and wrist joints. No interaction effect was found for the elbow joint. No significant differences were found in muscle strength or muscle spasticity between the groups.

Conclusion

Results of the study indicate that passive exercise safely applied for two weeks improves range of motion in joints of the upper arm in these patients. Further study with long-term follow-up is needed to verify the role of passive exercise in preventing muscle spasticity in this population.
Keywords:
Exercise; Hemiplegia; Passive range of motion; Muscle strength; Muscle spasticity

Figures


 Figure 1
Flow of the study.
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Tables


 Table 1
Demographic and Disease related Characteristics of the Participants (N=35)
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Table 2
Homogeneity Tests of Study Variables for the Groups (N=35)
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Table 3
Effects of Passive Upper Arm Exercise on Range of Motion (N=35)
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Table 4
Effects of Passive Upper Arm Exercise on Muscle Strength (N=35)
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Table 5
Effect of Passive Upper Arm Exercise on Muscle Spasticity (N=35)
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Notes

This study was supported by Chungnam National University Hospital Clinical Nursing Research Fund in 2010.

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