Assessment of the effects of rehabilitation in the area of hand function using a Biometrics device in people after stroke -a randomised controlled trial

Justyna Leszczak^1*Bogumiła Pniak^1,2Grzegorz Gazda²Agnieszka Guzik¹

• ¹Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland, Rzeszów, Poland
• ²Excelsior Health and Rehabilitation Hospital, Iwonicz-Zdrój, Poland, Iwonicz Zdrój, Poland

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of rehabilitation using the Biometrics device on the re-education of hand function in people in the late period after stroke patients. Methods: The data were collected from 1 August 2022 to 28 February 2023. The study was conducted among 120 people after stroke, who were randomly assigned to the test group (n=60) orand the control groups (n=60). Both groups were provided with a 3-weekThe rehabilitation program lasted 3 weeks and tookfor 2 hours a day for both groups. While tThe control group received traditional physiotherapy, t. The test group additionally underwent biofeedback training. The first eExaminations werewas performed on the first day andof rehabilitation, the second examination was performed on the finallast day of the 3-week intervention program (at discharge). The primary measurement included assessment of hand grip strength (key, three jaw chuck, tip-to-tip) using an electronic dynamometer and a Biometrics E-link pinchmeter. Secondary outcomes included hand motor function assessment, using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Hand Function scale, hand motor dexterity with the Box and Blocks test, hand grip functions according to the Frenchay scale, and functional fitness with the Barthel index. Results: In the test group, significant rehabilitation effects were observed for the assessment of grip strength, finger compression strength, manual hand dexterity, grip function and everyday activities of daily living (p<0.001; p=0.001), while in the control group results were improved for grip strength and finger compression strength (key and three-jaw chuck) of the right hand (p=0.012; p=0.017; p=0.001) and manual dexterity (p<0.001), motor abilities and daily activities of daily living (p<0.001).The study showed positive effects of hand function rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients in the late period in both groups. However, in the test group, which additionally underwent training that stimulated the central nervous system using the biofeedback method with the Biometrics device, better hand and finger grip function of the hand and fingers, as well as hand motor and manual function of the hand were noted.