gms | German Medical Science

Background: Dynamic lycra splints are proposed to modify hypertonicity due to the effects of neutral warmth, circumferential pressure and by creating a low intensity prolonged stretch on hypertonic muscles, all of which contribute to increased sensory awareness of the involved limb.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate effects of dynamic lycra sleeve as an adjunct to botulinum toxin injection of the upper limb rehabilitation in stroke

Method: Patients with post-stroke spasticity were randomized to two groups: Lycra sleeve plus rehabilitation (n=10) and only rehabilitation group (n=6). After botulinum toxin injection, both groups underwent upper limb rehabilitation program. Intervention group wore lycra sleeve for eight hours a day, five days a week for three weeks in addition to rehabilitation program. Fugl Meyer Upper Limb Motor score, Motricity index, Modified Ashworth scale, Box and Block test, Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and star cancellation tests were assessed by blinded investigators at before treatment, post-treatment (at 3 weeks) and three months post-treatment. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT03546959.

Results/findings: There were no differences between groups in terms of Fugl Meyer Upper Limb Motor score, Motricity Index, Box and Block test and light touch threshold difference after treatment in index, ring and little finger. Improvement in light touch threshold of thumb finger at 3 weeks was found to be greater in lycra sleeve plus rehabilitation than only rehabilitation group.

Discussion and conclusions: Using lycra sleeve as adjunctive to upper limb rehabilitation program after stroke did not provide additional benefit in motor function while it yielded improvement in sensory function.