The Onset and Frequency of Spasticity in Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients

Abstract

Objective:A stroke or cerebrovascular accident is the third highest reason for death and the leading cause of making a person disabled for a prolonged period around the world. Spasticity is a well-identified and frequent cause of post-stroke disability. Spasticity is an involuntary or abnormally increased muscle tone, characterized by excessive tendon Jerk due to overexcitability of stretch stimulus.

Aim of Study:

The study aims to assess the Onset and Frequency of Spasticity in Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients and further to find out the time of spasticity developed in Pakistani population.

Methodology:An observational cross-sectional study that uses a non-probability sampling technique has been utilized. A sample size of 77 patients who suffered from hemorrhagic stroke was recruited. The data was obtained through the Modified Ashworth scale looking for spasticity development, NIHSS, and BIS scale in 6 months.

Results: The hemorrhagic stroke patients were assessed for spasticity by applying Modified Ashworth Scale. Shoulder flexors were spastic at a frequency of 23.4%, internal rotators were 22.1%, elbow flexors show the spasticity at the frequency of 27.3%, pronators (18.7%), wrist flexors (19.5%) ulnar deviators (27.3%) and finger flexors(22.1%) also developed spasticity according to the percentages mentioned. spasticity in the upper extremity and hip flexors (24.7%), adductors (26.0%), hip internal rotators (11.7%), and external rotators (14.3%) knee extensors (23.4%), ankle plantar flexors (20.8%), and plantar invertors develop spasticity of (24.7%) in the lower limb.

Conclusion: This study’s findings showed patients (n=77) who suffered from acute hemorrhagic stroke have elbow flexors tend to become more spastic and after that shoulder flexors gain spasticity. apart from these muscles shoulder internal rotators, elbow pronators, and wrist flexors also develop spasticity with great frequencies, and in lower limb hip flexors, knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors became predominantly spastic. Also, hip adductors and internal and external rotators lead to the development of spasticity.