Effects of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation for upper extremity function in stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation (MP-EMG ES) on the upper extremity of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to experimental group or control group. The experimental group received MP-EMG ES plus conventional rehabilitation therapy for 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The control group received only conventional rehabilitation therapy. Outcome measure included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Motor Activity Log (MAL). [Results] Experimental group showed more improved in the FMA, MAL-AOU, MAL-QOM compared with the control group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that MP-EMG ES improves the upper extremity of subacute stroke patients better than conventional rehabilitation therapy alone.

Electromyogram-Related Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Restoring Wrist and Hand Movement in Poststroke Hemiplegia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Studies were published between 1998 16 and 2017. [38][39][40][41] Figure 1 shows the selection of studies included in the systematic review and the main reasons for exclusion.…”

“…A majority of studies (n = 19) were conducted with chronic patients (536 patients), [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][25][26][27][28][30][31][32][33]35,[37][38][39] while 7 involved acute/subacute patients (246 patients). 16,24,29,34,36,40,41 Mean age ranged from 42.6 32 to 71.1 23 years, and stroke duration ranged from 9 days 36 to 4.8 years. 28 Only one study 40 provided no details on age and time since stroke.…”

“…16,24,29,34,36,40,41 Mean age ranged from 42.6 32 to 71.1 23 years, and stroke duration ranged from 9 days 36 to 4.8 years. 28 Only one study 40 provided no details on age and time since stroke. According to initial FMA-UE scores, UL impairment levels ranged in severity from moderate (n = 6) 24,25,31,35,37,38 to severe (n = 8).…”

“…According to initial FMA-UE scores, UL impairment levels ranged in severity from moderate (n = 6) 24,25,31,35,37,38 to severe (n = 8). 16,29,30,33,36,39,40,41 Twelve studies [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][26][27][28]32,34 provided no FMA-UE score and therefore were not classified.…”

“…In the majority of the studies (n = 18), treatment was applied for less than 20 hours. [17][18][19][20]22,23,28,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][38][39][40][41] Treatment dosage ranged from 6 [17][18][19][20]28 to 168 hours. 29 Treatment duration ranged from 2 [17][18][19][20]28 to 20 weeks 26 with frequency varying between 1 22 to 7 25,29 times a week and 1 to 3 times 25 a day.…”