2. Materials and Methods
paresis of the upper extremities, Stroke, stroke, ischemic stroke, dizziness, motor impairment, febrile
STROKE, STROKE, ISCHEMIC STROKE
The double-blind, randomized, placebo-control research was conducted at the Clinic for Rehabilitation “Dr. Miroslav Zotovic” in Belgrade over three years from March 2019 to March 2022. The design of this study was the double-blind because neither patients nor the data collectors know which treatment the patients were receiving until the study was over. The study included 110 patients of both sexes of at least 18 years of age with neuroradiologically confirmed ischemic stroke and severe motor impairment (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) >14) [The criteria for inclusion of patients in the study were the following: (a) the first stroke in a subacute phase (7–14 day lapse from the insult); (b) stroke of cortical or subcortical localization verified by computerized tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; (c) patients with unilateral paresis of the upper extremities of a severe degree (FME-UE ≤ 25) [Of a total of 112 patients assessed for eligibility, 60 patients met the criteria and entered the study. All of the examined patients were inpatients undergoing rehabilitation treatment, and all were subjected to thorough anamnesis, laboratory, and clinical evaluation. The total number of patients excluded from the study was 52. The number of participants who failed to meet the inclusion criteria was 27. The number of those excluded due to comorbidities that made it impossible to carry out the treatment (frequent oscillations of blood pressure, dizziness in an upright position, or febrile conditions) was 13. Twelve patients declined to participate.All participants signed an informed consent that allowed for their participation in the research, which the Clinic’s Ethics Committee approved (No. 03-1518).