الفهرس 
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Abstract
Objectives: Purpose of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effect of low level laser therapy and hand splint in connection with spasticity in stroke patients. Methods: forty-five patients of both sexes aged (40-60) years were divided randomly into three equal groups. group (I) was treated with laser radiation for ten minutes three days a week for one month. Group(II) was treated with hand splint for one month. group (III) was treated with laser radiation along with splints for one month. The patients in the three groups received the treatment six to eighteen month following the lesion; the three groups had been examined using electrodiagnostic studies (H/M ratio), Myrin goniometer and Modified Ashowrth Scale. Results: In laser therapy and splinting group, the median (IQR) values of Ashworth scale were 4 (3,4) for pretreatment and 2 (2,3) for post-treatment. In laser group, the median (IQR) values of Ashworth scale were 3 (2,3) for pre-treatment and 2 (2,3) for post-treatment. In splint group, the median (IQR) values of Ashworth scale were 3 (2,3) for pre-treatment and 2 (1,2) for posttreatment. The statistical analysis by Wilcoxon test showed that there were significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment values of Ashworth scale within laser therapy and splinting group (P=0.0001; P<0.05), laser group (P=0.0001; P<0.05), and splint group (P=0.0001; P<0.05). In laser therapy and splinting group, the mean values of Myrin goniometer were 2.00 ±0.56 for pretreatment and 3.00 ±1.29 for post-treatment. In laser group, the mean values of Myrin goniometer were 3.00 ±0.82 for pre-treatment and 4.00 ±0.81 for post-treatment. In splint group, the mean values of Myrin goniometer were 3.00 ±0.63 for pre-treatment and 4.00 ±0.73 for post treatment. The statistical analysis Wilcoxon test showed that there were significant differences between pre- and post-treatment of Myrin goniometer within laser therapy and splinting group (P=0.002; P<0.05), laser group (P=0.041; P<0.05), and splint group (P=0.038; P<0.05). In laser therapy and splinting group, the mean values of Hmax: Mmax ratio were 1.79 ±0.15 for pre-treatment and 1.43 ±0.11 for post-treatment. In laser group, the mean values of Hmax: Mmax ratio were 1.53 ±0.21 for pre treatment and 1.30 ±0.10 for post-treatment. In splint group, the mean values of Hmax: Mmax ratio were 1.34 ±0.20 for pre-treatment and 1.20 ±0.14 for post-treatment. The statistical analysis by Wilcoxon test showed that there were significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment of Hmax: Mmax ratio within laser therapy and splinting group (P=0.001; P<0.05), laser group (P=0.001; P<0.05), and splint group (P=0.028; P<0.05). There is a significant difference between the values before and after the treatment in the three groups. Conclusion: Using both modalities together has better effect on wrist flexors spasticity in stroke patients than using each modality alone; and it shows that using laser therapy has better effect than hand splint in treating wrist flexors spasticity in stroke patients.