The Effects of Upper Extremity Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise Combined with Biofeedback in Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundThe of upper extremity closed kinetic chain exercise combined with biofeedback requires evidence-based guidelines to elucidate its impact on the proprioception, muscle strength, and function of stroke patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of upper extremity closed kinetic chain exercise combined with biofeedback on the proprioception, muscle strength, and function of stroke patients.MethodsThe 24 stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: the upper extremity closed kinetic chain exercise combined with biofeedback group (UCKCBG; n = 11) and the control group (CG; n = 13). Training was conducted five times a week for four weeks. Outcome measures included the Thumb Localization Test (TLT), Medical Research Council Score (MRC), Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA).ResultsThe result showed that the UCKCBG demonstrated significant effects on TLT, MRC, CKCUEST, and FMA compared to the CG (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study showed that repetitive upper extremity closed kinetic chain exercise with biofeedback can be considered as a training method in clinical practice for stroke patients with decreased proprioceptive sensation, muscle strength, stability, and upper limb function.