Comparison of efficiency of exercise, electrical muscle stimulation, electromyographic biofeedback and robotic therapy in tibialis anterior muscle activation of hemiplegic patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, classic physiotherapy and rehabilitation and robotic rehabilitation, and classic physiotherapy and rehabilitation and Electromyographic Biofeedback in tibialis anterior muscle activation of hemiplegic patients . This study was conducted as an experimental study on 30 hemiplegic patients aged between 40 and 86 years. The first group received 30 sessions of classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation, the second group received 30 sessions of classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation and 15 sessions of robotic rehabilitation, and the third group received 30 sessions of classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation and 15 sessions of Electromyographic Biofeedback. Before and at the end of interventions, range of motion of the ankle (both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion), 10 meters walk test score, Modified Ashworth Scale, Electromyographic measurement result, muscle strength measurement, Visual Analog Scale results were recorded. The mean of age, weight, and height were calculated as 63.50 ± 10.15 years, 73.90 ± 12.88 kg, and 162.10 ± 7.87 cm in first group. In the second group, the same parameters were found as 71.90 ± 7.75 years, 82.20 ± 15.33 kg, and 167.10 ± 10,49 cm respectively. In the third group, the average of age, body weight and height 68.40 ± 9.06 years, 82.70 ± 10.69 kg, and 166.50 ± 8,81 cm were calculated, respectively. The robotic rehabilitation combined with Classic physiotherapy and rehabilitation has been proved to be more effective in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion Range of Motion, 10 m walking test, and Nicholas Manual Muscle Test (left and right dorsiflexion). It has been shown that classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment has more beneficial results on Nicolas Manual Muscle Test (left and right dorsiflexion) measurement. Whereas, classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Electromyographic Biofeedback, have been more effective on Electromyographic muscle test. As a result, significant improvement was observed in the functional status of all three groups. Keywords: Electromyographic biofeedback, Hemiplegia, Physical therapy, Robotic practice.