Use of Rhythmic Auditory Cueing During Bilateral Training of the Upper Extremities in Stroke Patients

Use of Rhythmic Auditory Cueing During Bilateral Training of the Upper Extremities in Stroke Patients

The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of rhythmic auditory cueing with bilateral arm training on upper limb functions in stroke patients.

Arm and hand movement problems are major contributors to disability in patients after stroke. In fact, only 5% of adults regain full arm function after stroke, and 20% regain no functional use. Hence, alternative strategies are needed to reduce the long-term disability and functional impairment from upper limb hemiparesis.

To solve problems concerning upper limb dysfunction related to stroke, various treatment methods have been used in several previous studies. Rhythmic auditory stimulation has been reported as an effective intervention for improving movement in the affected extremities of stroke patients.

To the best of our knowledge, no mentioned previous studies evaluating the effect of rhythmic auditory cueing with bilateral arm training using functional exercises on upper extremity impairment in patients with stroke in Egypt are reported. So, this study aims to determine the effect of rhythmic auditory cueing with bilateral arm training on upper limb functions in patients with stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Thirty patients with ischemic stroke from both sexes will be included.
2. Patients will have stroke for the first time.
3. The age of patients will range from 45 to 60 years.
4. Duration of illness will be from six months to eighteen months.
5. The degree of spasticity will ranged from 1 to 1 + grade according to the modified Ashworth scale.
6. Patients will have moderate arm motor impairment (between 30 and 49 scores) according to Fugl-Meyer (FM) arm section scale.
7. The affected upper extremity will be the dominant side.
8. Patients will be able to sit and maintain balance in a sitting position.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The patients will be excluded if they have:

  1. Visual or auditory deficits.
  2. Perceptual disorders.
  3. Any surgical interventions in the upper extremities limiting the range of motion.
  4. Aphasia or apraxia.
  5. Musculoskeletal or neurological impairment of the unaffected upper extremity.