Effects of Boccia Exercises on Upper Extremity Muscle Thickness and Grip Strength in Hemiparetic Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 22
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- upper extremity muscle thickness
研究概览
简要总结
This study investigates whether adding Boccia exercises to conventional rehabilitation improves upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength in individuals with hemiparesis following stroke. The research aims to determine if Boccia training can enhance muscle morphology and functional strength beyond standard physical therapy.
详细描述
Loss of upper extremity function after stroke significantly reduces independence in daily living. Changes in muscle morphology (muscle thickness, echogenicity, pennation, etc.) can affect strength, coordination, and functional performance. Boccia is a sport originally designed for individuals with special needs, encouraging hand-eye coordination, targeting, and force-controlled repetitions. Due to these characteristics, it has been suggested that boccia may positively impact both motor control and muscle tone; however, its effects on muscle morphology and grip strength in hemiparetic individuals have been limitedly studied. This study will investigate the contribution of boccia exercises to conventional physiotherapy on upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength.
Primary objective: To evaluate whether boccia exercises provide significant improvements in upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength after hemiparesis, in addition to conventional physical therapy.
Hypothesis
Participants who receive up to nine weeks of extended or eight weeks (8 weeks in the protocol) of boccia practice will show greater improvements in upper extremity muscle thickness and grip strength than those who receive conventional physical therapy alone.
This study is a parallel-group, random assignment controlled trial. The total sample included 22 stroke (hemiparetic) individuals; participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Boccia + physical therapy (Boc, n = 12) and physical therapy alone (Ctrl, n = 10). Assessments will be conducted at pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (after 8 weeks). Assessors will be blinded to the measurements; complete blinding of operators and participants is not possible.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 75 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Adults aged 18-75
- •Having had a stroke within the last 6-24 months and diagnosed with hemiparesis
- •Mild to moderate motor function loss in the upper extremity (e.g., Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Score ≥ 20/66)
- •Clinically stable individuals eligible to participate in sessions
- •Be conscious, cognitively able to follow instructions, and consent
- •Be physically fit enough to participate in exercise at least 3 days a week
排除标准
- •Limited upper extremity movement due to severe spasticity, contracture, or joint deformity (Modified Ashworth Scale ≥ 3)
- •Contraindication to exercise due to severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, or systemic disease
- •Serious diseases other than neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, MS, tumor)
- •History of upper extremity surgery or trauma within the last 6 months
- •Inability to exercise due to severe pain, infection, or skin lesions
- •Inability to follow instructions due to psychiatric or cognitive impairment
- •Concurrent participation in other clinical trials
结局指标
主要结局
upper extremity muscle thickness
时间窗: 8 weeks
Muscle thickness of selected upper extremity muscles (e.g., biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid) is measured using ultrasonography. Measurements are taken at standard anatomic locations with the participant in a relaxed, resting position. Thickness is recorded in millimeters (mm) and represents the distance between the superficial and deep aponeuroses of the muscle. Assessments are performed before (baseline) and after (8 weeks) the intervention by blinded assessors to assess changes in muscle morphology.
次要结局
- Grip Strength(8 weeks)
研究者
Emre Berk HAZAR
Research Assistant
Bayburt University