An effective ergotherapy simulator for patients with a stroke

Abstract

Acute disorders of cerebral circulation are one of the main causes of premature mortality, as well as a deep and prolonged disability of the population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of simulator "Ergofartuk", developed in the Neurology Department N 2 of Republican Clinical Hospital named after N.A. Semashko, in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. We performed a comparative analysis of neurological status of 170 patients treated in the Department from 2013 to 2015. All patients received the course of pharmacotherapy basic for the Neurology Department, and went through rehabilitation activities. Patients of one group had the "Ergofartuk" rehabilitation program. In the research, the following scales were used: NIHSS, Rankin, Rivermead and Frenchay. It was found that in all patients at the time of release, average tests results on NIHSS, Rankin, and Rivermead scales were not significantly different. The average score on Frenchay scale in the group of patients used "Ergofartuk" simulator was 21 % higher than that one of patients who took only basic curative and rehabilitative measures. Thus, in patients with acute disorders of cerebral circulation the use of the "Ergofartuk" simulator accelerates the process of recovery of fine motor skills and wrist skills.