EFFECTS OF LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN ADDITION TO CONSTRAINT-INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY ON MOTOR FUNCTION AND SPASTICITY IN ADULTS WITH HEMIPLEGIC STROKE

Abstract

Pakistan lacks concrete evidence of the stroke-affected population based on data, and the disease is likely to prevail in the coming time, owing to the lack of ensuing prevention programs for the risk factors of stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the combined efficaciousness of LLLT and constraint-induced movement therapy on motor function and spasticity in the upper extremity of adults with hemiplegic stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial was performed, which included 76 participants aged between 30-70 years old. Participants were randomly allotted to Group A (controlled group), which received constraint-induced movement therapy, and Group B (experimental group), which received constraint-induced movement therapy protocol for the upper limb with additional low-level laser therapy (Omega XP Laser (Pen Probe Blue, 820nm, 200mW) on acupuncture points GB39, LI4, LI11, GB34. The modified Ashworth Scale was used for determining the spasticity, and Motor Activity Log was used to assess motor function, which included two scales i.e. Amount scale (How much) and HW Scale (how well). Data were analyzed by SPSS 22.

RESULTS: Mean age of the subjects were 51.50±8.196. The results involving the gender of subjects exhibited that there were 36.8% males and 63.2% females in Group A and 44.7% females, and 55.3% males in group B. Spasticity at baseline was recorded by MAS, and found the mean and standard deviation were 2.6579±0.8146 and 2.7895±0.7410. Spasticity after 2 weeks via MAS was measured, and scores were recorded to be 1.6053±0.3517 and 1.8026±0.3773. Spasticity at 4 weeks was assessed, and the results came out as 1.118±0.2447 and 1.0526±0.1555. Motor function at baseline by MAL-30 was measured, and results manifested the mean and standard deviation as 0.7447±0.1083 and 0.7263±0.1057. Results of motor function at 2 weeks exhibited 1.721±0.2732 and 1.865±0.1361. Motor function at 4 weeks was recorded and showed 2.576±0.2198 and 2.671±0.1522.

CONCLUSION: It was a significant decrease in spasticity and improvement in motor function by using LLLT combined with Constraint-induced movement therapy. However, the results of the patients only treated by CIMT were insignificant. Hence, LLLT and CIMT positively affect stroke patients by reducing spasticity and improving motor function.