The Potential Role of Thermography in Determining the Efficacy of Stroke Rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION: Maintaining good physiological circulation in the extremities requires an optimally functioning muscle pump. Stroke symptoms indicate a change in venous circulation. In this study, changes were measured in joint function and microcirculation, and the correlation between them was examined. SETTING: Physiotherapy Center, Ss. Cosmas and Damian Rehabilitation Institute, Visegrád, Hungary. METHODOLOGY: Sixteen randomly selected poststroke patients with hemiparesis affecting mainly the upper extremities began undergoing rehabilitation 13 ± 4 days following stroke. Thermograms were taken with a Fluke Ti 20 (Fluke Corporation, WA) pretreatment and post-treatment, and a physiotherapy documentation form was completed. Treatment comprised 15 physiotherapy, massage, and galvanic therapy sessions per patient, with the side exhibiting no neurological symptoms as a control. RESULTS: Joint function showed significant improvement on the affected side (P < .05). Thermographic examinations revealed microcirculatory dysfunction in the affected extremities in 100% of the cases. Following treatment, temperature increased significantly (P ≥ .5°C) on the affected side. A strong correlation (r) was observed between joint function and temperature change (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Thermography is shown to be a reliable method for monitoring the effects of stroke rehabilitation treatment. Thermographic testing may enable us to predict the course of the trauma and the efficacy of treatment even at the acute stage.