The Effect of Scapular Exercises in Patients With Stroke

The patients in both groups were treated with the exercise program according to the Bobath concept was planned taking the functional needs of the survivors into account, including stretching and facilitation of latissimus dorsi muscle, facilitation of abdominal muscles, placing exercises, training of lumbar spine stabilizers, functional reach of shoulder in different directions. Five sessions of about an hour each were provided to the patients

Isometric scapular exercises were performed to the patients included to the study group in a sitting position and at 900 of the shoulder flexion and 900 of the shoulder abduction. The patients were exercised by a physiotherapist using isometric contraction in protraction and retraction by a physiotherapist. Isometric contractions lasted 5 seconds and each exercise was repeated 2x15 times. One minute rest period was given between sets