TY - JOUR
T1 - Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects
T2 - A randomized controlled pilot study
AU - Thorsen, Rune
AU - Cortesi, M.
AU - Jonsdottir, J.
AU - Carpinella, I.
AU - Morelli, D.
AU - Casiraghi, A.
AU - Puglia, M.
AU - Diverio, M.
AU - Ferrarin, M.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The objective of this randomized controlled pilot study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of myoelectrically controlled functional electrical stimulation (MeCFES) for rehabilitation of the upper limb in poststroke subjects. Eleven poststroke hemiparetic subjects with residual proximal control of the arm, but impaired volitional opening of the paretic hand, were enrolled and randomized into a treated and a control group. Subjects received 3 to 5 treatment sessions per week until totaling 25 sessions. In the experimental group, myoelectric activity from wrist and finger extensors was used to control stimulation of the same muscles. Patients treated with MeCFES (n = 5) had a significant (p = 0.04) and clinically important improvement in Action Research Arm Test score (median change 9 points), confirmed by an Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment self-evaluation score. This improvement was maintained at follow-up. The control group did not show a significant improvement (p = 0.13). The reduced sample size of participants, together with confounding factors such as spontaneous recovery, calls for larger studies to draw definite conclusions. However, the large and persistent treatment effect seen in our results indicate that MeCFES could play an important role as a clinical tool for stroke rehabilitation.
AB - The objective of this randomized controlled pilot study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of myoelectrically controlled functional electrical stimulation (MeCFES) for rehabilitation of the upper limb in poststroke subjects. Eleven poststroke hemiparetic subjects with residual proximal control of the arm, but impaired volitional opening of the paretic hand, were enrolled and randomized into a treated and a control group. Subjects received 3 to 5 treatment sessions per week until totaling 25 sessions. In the experimental group, myoelectric activity from wrist and finger extensors was used to control stimulation of the same muscles. Patients treated with MeCFES (n = 5) had a significant (p = 0.04) and clinically important improvement in Action Research Arm Test score (median change 9 points), confirmed by an Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment self-evaluation score. This improvement was maintained at follow-up. The control group did not show a significant improvement (p = 0.13). The reduced sample size of participants, together with confounding factors such as spontaneous recovery, calls for larger studies to draw definite conclusions. However, the large and persistent treatment effect seen in our results indicate that MeCFES could play an important role as a clinical tool for stroke rehabilitation.
KW - Action research arm test
KW - Activities of daily living
KW - Electromyography
KW - Functional electrical stimulation
KW - Motor relearning
KW - Myoelectric control
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Stroke
KW - Taskoriented therapy
KW - Upper limb
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84883882454&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123
DO - 10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123
M3 - Article
C2 - 24203541
AN - SCOPUS:84883882454
VL - 50
SP - 785
EP - 794
JO - Journal of rehabilitation R&D
JF - Journal of rehabilitation R&D
SN - 0748-7711
IS - 6
ER -