Objective: To evaluate the effect of modified air pressure therapy on upper extremity motor unction and the range of motor (ROM) of shoulder joint in patients with stageⅠ shoulderhands syndrome (SHS) after stroke.

Methods: Sixty patients with stageⅠ SHS after stroke were randomly divided into two groups: the modified air pressure therapy group (n = 30) and the traditional air pressure therapy group (n = 30). The Fulg-Meyer assessment score of upper extremity motor function and ROM of shoulder joint were compared between the two groups before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, and the therapeutic efficacy was compared between the two groups after 4 weeks.

Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, Fugl-Meyer assessment scores of upper extremity motor function were significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.05), and the improvement in the modified air pressure therapy group was more significant than that in the air pressure therapy group (P < 0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the ROM of shoulder joint of the two groups were both improved significantly (P < 0.05), and the improvements in flexion, abduction and rotation mobility of the modified air pressure therapy group were more significant than those of the traditional air pressure therapy group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P <0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the response rate of modified air pressure therapy group was significantly higher than that of the traditional air pressure therapy group (83.3% vs 56.7%, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Compared with the traditional air pressure therapy, the modified air pressure therapy can significantly improve the upper extremity motor function and ROM of shoulder joint in patients with stageⅠ SHS after stroke, which is worthy of clinical application.