High-Intensity Electromagnetic Stimulation can Reduce Spasticity in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background: Level of spasticity in post-stroke patients allow for the predictability of the patient's level of recovery. The study aimed to assess the anti-spastic effect of high-intensity electromagnetic field stimulation in post-stroke condition.Methods: 30 post-stroke patients, randomized into two groups participated. The treatment group (TG) was delivered ten therapies to spastic muscles with high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation. The control group (CG) was delivered ten electrotherapy sessions in the spastic muscle area combined with kinesiotherapy. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used as a primary outcome measure to evaluate the level of spasticity. Secondary outcome measure, Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to evaluate the patient's quality of life. Results were obtained pre-treatment, post-treatment and after 1-month follow-up was completed. Results:During the 1-month follow-up, TG improved results up to 66% decreasing spasticity from 2.33±0.90 in the beginning to 0.87±0.64 points on the MAS. The CG, during the 1-month follow-up, improved up to 31% decreasing spasticity from 2.13±0.74 in the beginning to 1.47±0.74 points on the MAS. According to Barthel Index, 81% level of improvement was observed in TG during 1-month follow-up vs. 72% level of improvement observed for the CG in a 1-month follow-up. Conclusion:The evaluation showed greater spasticity reduction in TG -66% vs. 31% in the CG after the 1-month follow-up visit. Results suggest that high-intensity electromagnetic stimulation is an effective extracorporeal physical modality for spasticity management in post-stroke patients.

Effects of High-Intensity Electromagnetic Stimulation on Reducing Upper Limb Spasticity in Post-Stroke Patients

“…In patients presenting spasticity after stroke, a study published in 2018 demonstrated the effectiveness of the Super Inductive System in reducing spastic muscle tone and in improving patient function while maintaining results, and even escalating them in a favourable sense of patient evolution, 1 month after completion of the treatment. In this study, the therapy was first applied to the agonist muscles for post-facilitatory inhibition, and later to the weak antagonistic muscles, in order to increase the tone of these muscles, a methodology similar to our study [9].…”

“…High-intensity electromagnetic stimulation can improve the functionality of poststroke patients, the principle of action being based on the induction of an electromagnetic field that interacts with human body tissues, including myoarthrokinetic tissue, subsequently giving rise to electric currents to reduce spasticity. High-intensity electromagnetic stimulation (Super Inductive System) determines the depolarization of neuronal cells, generating therapeutic effects such as: analgesia, myostimulation, and trophic, resorptive, and elasticizing effects [9,10].…”

“…Super Inductive System Therapy restores distorted muscle balance after stroke, both by relaxing the spastic muscles and by stimulating the weak muscles, as well as by the trophic and circulatory effects at the level of the area where the therapy was applied [9,11].…”

Effectiveness of repetitive magnetic stimulation in improving upper extremity function in post-stroke hemiparesis – A case report

“…The study by Prouza et al identified a 66% reduction in Modified Ashworth Scale and 81% improvement in Barthel Index in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis with rPMS. 12 Stuppler et al studied the effect of rPMS applied on the extensor indices proprius muscle of stroke patients. 13 They suggested that rPMS reduced the spasticity in the finger flexor muscles and facilitated smooth contraction of index finger extensor muscles.…”

Effects of Peripheral Electromagnetic Fields on Spasticity: A Systematic Review

“…Once the database searches were completed, by combining the different key words, a total of 521 documents were obtained, of which 10 studies were finally included in the systematic review [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Figure 1 shows the flow chart of the search process.…”