Active range of motion combined with rubber ball grip therapy to improve mobility impairment in patient with stroke

Abstract

Stroke is a condition that occurs when blood supply to the brain is disrupted due to blockage or rupture of brain blood vessels, resulting in brain tissue death which causes paralysis accompanied by symptoms such as hemiparesis, difficulty walking, loss of balance, and decreased muscle strength. This study aims to identify the use of active Range of Motion (ROM) exercise with rubber ball grip training and to determine the outcome of ROM rubber ball exercise implementation on muscle strength in stroke patients with upper extremity paralysis. This research used a descriptive method with a case study approach on one stroke patient who received active ROM exercise in the form of rubber ball grip training. The case study found that the patient's consciousness was compos mentis, blood pressure 157/93 mmHg, pulse 107 times/minute, and decreased muscle strength in the right upper extremity. The nursing diagnosis was physical mobility impairment. Nursing interventions consisted of active ROM exercise in the form of rubber ball grip training twice daily for 5 days aimed to increase muscle strength in the upper extremity. After 5 days of intervention, muscle strength in the patient's hand increased, and the patient was able to move the hand. Muscle strength in the right upper extremity improved from scale 3 to scale 4. After undergoing active ROM training with rubber ball grip exercise, the stroke patient experienced an increase in muscle strength in the extremity and this therapy can be considered an alternative non-pharmacological therapy option for stroke patients with physical mobility impairment.

Keywords: Active range of motion, mobility impairment, nursing care, rubber ball exercise, stroke