The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at:http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/12/1/96
Abstract
Background
Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is a widely used intervention approach to enhance motor recovery in patients after stroke, but its effects on functional improvement remained uncertain. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is one potential adjuvant intervention approach to RT that could directly activate the stimulated muscles and improve functional use of the paretic hand.
Methods
This was a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. Thirty-nine individuals with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the RT combined with NMES (RT + ES) or to RT with sham stimulation (RT + Sham) groups. The participants completed the intervention 90 to 100 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures included the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UE-FMA), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 (SIS). All outcome measures were assessed before and after intervention, and the UE-FMA, MAL, and SIS were reassessed at 3 months of follow-up.
Results
Compared with the RT + Sham group, the RT + ES group demonstrated greater improvements in wrist flexor MAS score, WMFT quality of movement, and the hand function domain of the SIS. For other outcome measures, both groups improved significantly after the interventions, but no group differences were found.
Conclusion
RT + ES induced significant benefits in reducing wrist flexor spasticity and in hand movement quality in patients with chronic stroke.
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Flow diagram of participants who enrolled and completed the study. Abbreviations: RT, robot-assistive therapy; ES, electrical stimulation Lee et al. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2015 12:96 doi:10.1186/s12984-015-0088-3 Download authors’ original image
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