Research Article
Feasibility Testing of Context-Specific Home-Based
Action-Observation-Therapy on Upper Limb Functions Among Nigerian Stroke Survivors
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
29-36
Received:
20 May 2026
Accepted:
8 June 2026
Published:
26 June 2026
Abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of chronic neurological disability resulting in dysfunction of upper limbs and limitation in activity performance among survivors. Substantial constraint in accessing rehabilitation resources necessitate the need to provide alternative scalable home-based treatment options that can complement or where necessary, substitute hospital-based rehabilitation. The study reports findings from the feasibility testing of a context-specific home-based Action Observation Therapy (AOT) programme developed to improve upper limb functions among Nigerian stroke survivors (SSVs). Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with ten SSVs recruited from the Medical Rehabilitation Department at the Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. The SSVs participated in a six-week home-based AOT programme, consisting of five sessions per week, which included observation and imitation of goal-directed activities involving the upper limbs. Evaluations of motor and sensory function, hand dexterity and basic activities of daily living (BADL) were conducted using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Box and Block Test (BBT) and Barthel Index (BI) respectively at baseline, 3rd, and 6th weeks. A repeated-measures ANOVA was applied to analyze the data, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Findings: The results showed a significant improvement in upper extremity motor function (F=58.22; p=0.001), indicating progressive motor gains during the six-week intervention. However, no significant differences were identified in upper limb sensation, hand dexterity and BADL (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The context-specific home-based AOT programme significantly improved UE motor function among Nigerian SSVs with no significant recovery of sensory function, hand dexterity and BADL. Future study involving larger sample that employ a randomized control trial design is suggested to determine the functional and clinical relevance of this motor recovery.
Abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of chronic neurological disability resulting in dysfunction of upper limbs and limitation in activity performance among survivors. Substantial constraint in accessing rehabilitation resources necessitate the need to provide alternative scalable home-based treatment options that can complement or where necessary...
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Research Article
Clinical Outcomes of Aggressive Multimodal Management in Cervicothoracic Myofascial Pain Syndrome:
A Prospective Controlled Observational Study
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
37-43
Received:
14 March 2026
Accepted:
26 March 2026
Published:
8 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.rs.20261102.12
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Abstract: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most common causes of chronic neck and shoulder pain encountered in clinical practice; however, despite its high prevalence, it is frequently underdiagnosed because of overlapping clinical presentations with other musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. The condition is characterized by hyperirritable trigger points within skeletal muscles that produce localized tenderness, referred pain, restricted mobility, and functional impairment. This prospective controlled observational study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of aggressive multimodal therapy compared with conventional conservative treatment in patients with cervicothoracic MPS. Sixty patients diagnosed with cervicothoracic MPS were enrolled and allocated into two groups: Group A (n = 30) received aggressive multimodal therapy, while Group B (n = 30) received conventional conservative treatment. Baseline evaluation included assessment of pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion measurements, and trigger point mapping, with follow-up assessments conducted at 48 hours, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Baseline pain intensity was comparable between the two groups, with mean VAS scores of 8.1 in Group A and 8.0 in Group B. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater pain reduction at all follow-up time points, with mean VAS scores decreasing to 4.0 versus 6.7 at 48 hours, 2.0 versus 4.8 at 6 weeks, and 2.5 versus 5.1 at 6 months in Groups A and B, respectively. Significant clinical improvement was observed in 80% of patients receiving aggressive multimodal therapy compared with 40% of those receiving conventional treatment (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that aggressive multimodal therapy, consisting of trigger point injections and structured rehabilitation, provides superior pain relief and functional recovery compared with conventional conservative management in patients with cervicothoracic myofascial pain syndrome.
Abstract: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most common causes of chronic neck and shoulder pain encountered in clinical practice; however, despite its high prevalence, it is frequently underdiagnosed because of overlapping clinical presentations with other musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. The condition is characterized by hyperirritabl...
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,
Marufat Oluyemisi Odetunde
