Improvement of upper limb function in post-stroke patients with motion feedback training-based combination therapy: a retrospective analysis of muscle activation and recovery dynamics

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy based on motion feedback training in patients recovering from ischemic stroke.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 205 patients in the recovery phase of ischemic stroke admitted between June 2022 and June 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: the conventional treatment group (n=101), receiving standard care, and the combination therapy group (n=104), receiving additional motion feedback training for 30 days. Outcome measures included root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MDF) of surface electromyography (sEMG) for upper limb muscles, biochemical indicators, active range of motion (AROM), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores.

Results: Combination therapy significantly improved post-treatment RMS values in muscles such as the left Biceps brachii (BB) (P=0.008), right BB (P=0.003), and right Flexor pollicis brevis (FPB) (P=0.010). MDF values also improved significantly in the left BB (P=0.002) and left FPB (P=0.027). The combination therapy group showed higher post-treatment SOD levels compared to the conventional group (P=0.001). Significant improvements were observed in AROM (P<0.001), FMA (P<0.001), and ADL scores (P=0.010) in the combination therapy group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that combination therapy was associated with better outcomes (OR, 0.518; 95% CI, 0.291-0.923; P=0.026), while higher pre-treatment right FPB RMS values were linked to poorer prognosis (OR, 1.074; 95% CI, 1.004-1.149; P=0.039).

Conclusion: Motion feedback training-based combination therapy significantly enhances muscle activation, antioxidant biochemical pathways, functional recovery, and daily living activities in post-stroke patients compared to conventional treatment alone.