ABSTRACT
Cerebrovascular accidents can leave neurological, motor and sensory sequelae. To assess and monitor the patient’s prognosis, several functional measuring instruments are used, such as the Fugl-Meyer scale, which, although widely used to estimate the sensorimotor recovery, is a long evaluation that requires training. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze if the handgrip strength (HGS), the Timed up and Go test (TUG) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) can predict the results of the Fugl-Meyer scale, in order to optimize time during sensorimotor recovery assessment, both to monitor treatment responses and for scientific research. Thus, the HGS of 35 chronic hemiparetic patients was evaluated and then applied to Fugl-Meyer Scale, which evaluates motor recovery, the FIM, which evaluates motor activities and the TUG, which is an indicative of functional mobility. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple regression (r2). The HGS was predictive of motor recovery (r2=0.46; p=0.001), while mobility (r2=0.255; p=0.007) and functional independence (r2=0.054; p=0.2) were not capable of predicting the results of the Fugl-Meyer scale. After analysis, it was concluded that HGS is a moderate predictor of motor recovery after cerebrovascular accident, while mobility and functional independence are not.
Keywords:
|Stroke; Hemiplegia; Muscle Strength; Muscle Strength Dynamometer