The effect of bilateral trainings on upper extremities muscle activation on level of motor function in stroke patients.
Kyung Min Lim, Jinhwa Jung, Sunhwa Shim
PMID 28174466WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke patients with better arm recovery showed higher muscle activation and lower co-contraction when lifting a Pilates ring with both hands compared to clasping hands.
This suggests the ring task may facilitate more coordinated movement in the affected limb.
Key findings
01In patients with well-recovered upper limbs, muscle activation of the trapezius, anterior deltoid, and triceps on the affected side was significantly higher during bilateral activity with a Pilates ring than with hands clasped.
02The co-contraction ratio, which indicates muscle coordination, significantly decreased during bilateral activity with a Pilates ring in the well-recovered group.
03In patients with moderate recovery, the co-contraction ratio of the affected limb also significantly decreased during bilateral activity with a Pilates ring.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study did not use a randomized controlled trial design to compare outcomes before and after a continuous intervention period, limiting conclusions about long-term functional gains. The analysis focused on quantitative muscle activation changes (EMG) rather than qualitative movement changes, which would require three-dimensional motion analysis. The sample size was small (20 participants), and the findings are based on immediate responses to two specific tasks rather than a therapeutic program.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these EMG changes as proof that Pilates ring training improves functional motor recovery or daily living skills. The study measured immediate muscle activation patterns during a specific task, not long-term clinical outcomes from an intervention program.