Exploring the Extent of Restoration of Voluntary Movements, Function, Quality of Life and Cost of Formal Care in Dense Strokes Treated by the Optokinetic Chart Stimulation Based OKCSIB Protocol: A Prospective Pilot Randomised Case Controlled Study

Benjamin Chitambira* and David Smithard

Background: Stroke remains one of the largest causes of impairment and disability globally. Stroke involves high costs to the health economy.

Objective: To explore the extent of recovery of voluntary movements and function in dense acute strokes treated with the optokinetic chart stimulation based OKCSIB protocol. 

Methods: The experimental patient was treated with the OKCSIB protocol. An optokinetic chart was moved in front of the patient for 3 minutes each of lateral, vertical and forwards, twice daily for 5 days a week. The control patient underwent conventional therapy which involved practicing functional task with facilitation of normal movements as per Bobath approach. The main outcome measure was the STREAM upper and lower limb score after 14 weeks.

Results: The experimental patient’s upper limb STREAM scores improved from 0/20 pre-treatment to 18/20 after 14 weeks and 20/20 after 3 months follow up. The control patient’s upper limb STREAM score remained 0/20 pre-treatment, 0/20 after 14 weeks and 0/20 after 3 months follow up. The experimental patient’s lower limb STREAM scores improved from 0/20 pre-treatment to 20/20 after 14 weeks and 20/20 after 3 months follow up. The control patient’s lower limb STREAM score remained 0/20 pre-treatment, 0/20 after 14 weeks and 0/20 after 3 months follow up. The experimental patient’ s function improved from Barthel Index score of 0/20 pre-treatment to 17/20 after 14 weeks and 18/20 after 3 months follow up. The control patient scored 0/20 pre-treatment, 1/20 after 14 weeks and 0/20 after 3 months follow up.

Conclusions: The OKCSIB protocol restored voluntary movements and function when compared to conventional therapy. Fully powered studies are recommended to test the efficacy of the OKCSIB protocol against conventional neuro physiotherapy.

Keywords:

Published on: Oct 5, 2015 Pages: 51-57

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-5487.000025
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