Effect Of The Sensory Re-Education Paradigm On Hand Grip Strength In Patients With Post-Covid-19 Polyneuropathy

Abstract

Background: Recovery among patients who have contracted SARS-CoV-2 appears to display an exponential trend, even though some individuals still exhibit persistent symptoms associated with COVID-19. These enduring symptoms encompass dysautonomia, sensory and motor impairments, inexplicable exhaustion, and reduced tolerance for physical exertion. The development of late-onset neurological disease can be explained by genetic factors and host antiviral response. Genetic diversity and rapid evolution are identifiable features of COVID-19.Aim of study: To examine the effect of the sensory re-education paradigm on hand grip strength in patients with post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy. Subjects and Methods: Forty individuals who had been diagnosed with post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy were recruited and assigned randomly to two groups of equal size: the study group (A) and the control group (B). The study group (A) underwent a comprehensive treatment approach that involved sensory re-education as well as a conventional physical therapy program focusing on exercises such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), strengthening wrist extensors, hand grip muscles, and thumb opposition muscles. On the other hand, the control group (B) only received the conventional physiotherapy program without the sensory re-education component. The treatment lasted for six consecutive weeks, with one-hour sessions held three times per week. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer at baseline and after treatment for all participants.Results: Both groups A&B exhibited a significant difference in pre- and post-treatment comparisons for the right and left hands (P = 0.001* and 0.001*, respectively). While, there were no statistically significant differences among the two groups after treatment (P = 0.473 and P = 0.665, respectively, for the right and left hands).Conclusion: sensory re-education has no significant effect on improving hand grip strength in patients with post-COVID-19 polyneuropathy and following the conventional program for such cases will offer the required improvement.