Differences in Rheobase and Chronaxie between the Paretic and Non-Paretic Sides of Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: a Pilot Study

Abstract

[Purpose] Rheobase and chronaxie are used to confirm muscle degeneration. For stroke patients, however, the uses of rheobase and chronaxie in determining paretic side muscle degeneration is not yet fully understood. Thus, in this study, we examined the electrical properties of the quadriceps muscles of stroke patients’ paretic side and compared them with their respective values on the non-paretic side. [Method] The subjects were six stroke patients (three females, three males). The pad of an electrical stimulator was applied to the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis regions to measure rheobase and chronaxie until the contractive muscle response to electrical stimulation became visible. [Result] Rheobase was significantly increased on the paretic side compared to that of the non-paretic side of hemiplegic stroke patients. Furthermore, chronaxie was significantly increased on the paretic side compared to the non-paretic side of hemiplegic stroke patients. [Conclusion] These results suggest that stroke affects the sensitivity of skeletal muscle contraction. Therefore, this data may contribute to our understanding of the muscle status of stroke patients.

Effects of conventional overground gait training and a gait trainer with partial body weight support on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients after stroke

“…In this study, the major advantage of the gait trainer with BWS is that it requires less effort by a therapist than conventional therapy. Further scientific studies should be carried out focusing on improvement of gait characteristics and ambulation ability in hemiplegic patients 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) . In addition, greater numbers of participants and longer treatment times, including a follow-up, should be used to validate the results of this study.…”

Differences in two-point discrimination and sensory threshold in the blind between braille and text reading: a pilot study

“…However, we suggest that using Braille can also develop the sensitivity of the median nerve, and this influences the sensitivity of areas innervated by the median nerve. Further systematic studies in the field of physical therapy, such as electrotherapy, neurotherapy, hydrotherapy, and others, are needed 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ) . In summary, our data could not explain the difference in tactility between the two groups.…”

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Muscle Impairment: Critical Review and Recommendations for Clinical Practice

“…16 Lower or higher frequencies than occur naturally have been shown to reduce muscle force generation and result in more rapid decline in force generation thought to be due to fatigue. 17 Lee and colleagues 18 showed that muscles affected by stroke require higher amplitude and longer pulse duration of NMES than the non-paretic contralateral muscles.…”