Search

Purpose: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is one of the common complications in stroke patients. Sympathetic dysfunction is usually considered underlying pathology. The evidence for contrast bath (CB) used in the treatment of CRPS is limited. The aim of the study is to investigate the possible effects of CB on the sympathetic activity in poststroke CRPS., Materials and Methods: Stroke patients with CRPS (CRPS group) and without CRPS (control group) were included in the study. Age, gender, duration of stroke, aetiology, plegic side, dominant hand, spasticity level, Brunnstrom stages, and comorbidities were recorded. CB was performed for one session to the plegic side of the CRPS and control groups. Sympathetic skin responses (SSR) was recorded from the plegic and healthy hands of participants at pre-CB and post-CB., Results: Each group consisted of 20 participants. No significant difference was detected in stroke duration, aetiology, and Brunnstrom stages between groups. Elbow spasticity level was significantly higher in CRPS group (p = .034). SSR amplitudes of plegic hands were significantly decreased after CB in CRPS and control groups (p = .0002, p = .013 respectively). Also, CB reduced the SSR amplitude of healty side in CRPS group (p = .003). There was no statistically significant change in SSR latency or percentage changes of SSR amplitude and latency after CB in both groups., Conclusion: CB leads to a significant reduction in sympathetic activity of plegic side of stroke patients. Also, CB to the plegic side has an inhibitory effect on sympathetic activity of healty side in poststroke CRPS. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04198532.

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Turkiye Fiziksel Tip ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi is the property of Turkish Society of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)