A retrospective study on the clinical efficacy of pneumatic hand rehabilitation devices in managing post-stroke chirospasm following ischemic stroke

Chirospasm is a common sequela of ischemic stroke (IS), often resulting in substantial impairment of hand function and quality of life. Although conventional rehabilitation can partially improve motor recovery, it is often insufficient in effectively reducing spasticity and edema, thereby necessitating adjunctive interventions. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pneumatic hand rehabilitation device in improving hand function and alleviating spasticity in IS patients with chirospasm. Clinical data from 76 patients with chirospasm following IS, treated at our institution between March 2022 and March 2024, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on treatment modality: a control group receiving standard rehabilitation therapy and an intervention group receiving additional treatment with a pneumatic hand rehabilitation device. Key evaluation indicators included metacarpophalangeal joint circumference, finger swelling volume, hand function scores (STEF, Fugl-Meyer, MFT), spasticity grading (Ashworth and MAS), neurological deficit indices, pain scores (Visual Analogue Scale), and activities of daily living (ADL). Clinical efficacy was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Both groups demonstrated improvements after treatment; however, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in joint circumference, finger swelling, and muscle tone, as well as higher improvements in hand function scores (P < .05). Notably, Visual Analogue Scale scores were lower and ADL scores were higher in the intervention group. Furthermore, the total effective rate in the intervention group (94.74%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (76.32%). This retrospective analysis suggests that pneumatic hand rehabilitation devices, when integrated with conventional therapy, are more effective in reducing spasticity, alleviating hand edema, improving hand motor function, and enhancing quality of life in post-IS patients with chirospasm. These findings support the broader clinical application of such devices in stroke rehabilitation programs.