Impact of a Rehabilitation Program on the Change in Components of Body Mass of the Upper and Lower Limbs in People After Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation in terms of changes in the body mass composition in the upper and lower limbs depending on the length of time after stroke and the age of the patient. MATERIAL/METHODS: Eighty-two patients after ischemic stroke were tested 3 times: on admission, after 5 weeks, and 3 months after leaving the hospital (follow-up). During each examination, a segmental analysis of the components of the body mass of the upper limbs and lower limbs was performed, depending on the side of paresis. RESULTS: Patients between 7 and 12 months after stroke with right-sided paresis had a reduction of fat (P=0.027) and an increase in muscle tissue in the lower (P=0.030) and upper limbs with paresis (P=0.037), as well as in the healthy upper limb (P=0.034) after rehabilitation. Only in the youngest age group (25–44 years) and in patients with left-sided paresis was there a decrease of adipose tissue in the healthy upper (P=0.012) and paresis limbs (P=0.032) and an increase in the muscle tissue mass in the right upper limb (P=0.010) after rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation program had a significant impact on the change in the composition of body mass in upper and lower limbs in people with right-sided paresis, particularly 7 to 12 months after stroke and in the youngest age group (25–44 years). These results may be useful in planning a rehabilitation program for stroke patients to consider the patient’s dominant hand and neglect.