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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) combined with contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) on upper limb motor function of stroke patients. MethodsFrom January to December, 2022, 60 stroke patients from Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into atDCS group (n = 20), CCFES group (n = 20) and combined group (n = 20). All the groups accepted routine rehabilitation, while atDCS group accepted atDCS on the primary motor (M1) area of the damaged hemisphere, CCFES group accepted CCFES on the triceps brachii and extensors carpi muscles, and the combined group accepted atDCS on the M1 area of damaged hemisphere and CCFES on triceps brachii and extensors carpi muscles, for six weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and the electromyography root mean square (RMS) ratio of bilateral triceps brachii muscles and extensor carpi muscles, before and after treatment. ResultsThe FMA-UE score, WMFT score, and the RMS ratio of the triceps brachii muscles and extensor carpi muscles improved in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 5.007, P < 0.001), and improved the most in the combined group (F > 14.492, P < 0.001). ConclusionatDCS combined with CCFES can effectively improve upper limb motor function of stroke patients.
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Objective:To observe any effect of body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on lower limb motor function and the walking ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty-eight stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into an FES group of 19, a BWSTT group of 19 and a combination group of 20. In addition to their early routine rehabilitation therapy, the FES and BWSTT groups were provided with the respective therapies, while the combination group received both. The three groups received 30 minutes of treatment a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the simplified version of the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for the lower extremities (FMA-LE), the 10-metre walk test (10MWT) and functional ambulation classification (FAC) were used to evaluate the subjects′ balance, lower-limb motor function, walking speed and walking function before and after the 8 weeks of treatment.Results:After the treatment, the average BBS, FMA-LE, 10MWT and FAC scores of all three groups had improved significantly, but the combination group′s averages were then significantly better than those of the other two groups.Conclusions:BWSTT combined with FES can best improve the balance, lower-limb motor functioning and walking of hemiplegic stroke survivors.
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Objective:To explore the characteristics of cortical activation during the stimulation-assisted walking of hemiplegic stroke survivors using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:Eight stroke survivors with right hemiplegia (average age 44.4±7.2 years) in a self-controlled study each walked at 2km/h on a treadmill, alone and assisted by functional electronic stimulation (FES). Real-time near-infrared spectroscopic images were recorded. The Matlab NIRS-SPM toolkit was employed to calculate the changes in oxyhemoglobin concentration in different cortical regions. A general linear model was evaluated which integrated the task effects, and version 20.0 of the SPSS statistical software was used to perform single sample or paired sample t-tests of the beta values so as to produce activation hot maps of the significant differences.Results:During unassisted walking channels 8, 10, 11, 13-20, 23-28, 30 and 32-37 were significantly activated. During FES-assisted walking it was the same channels plus channels 9 and 22, 31. The results suggest that in walking the cortical regions activated are mainly located in M1 of the unaffected hemisphere, supplemented by M1 and SMA, PMC and S1 in the affected hemisphere. There were significant differences in the activation of channels 9, 24, 27, 32, 33 between the two walking tasks. FES-assistance enhances S1 activation on the unaffected side, as well as the SMA and PMC of the affected side more significantly.Conclusions:Bilateral asymmetrical activation is found mostly in M1 during walking with or without FES assistance. FES assistance significantly strengthens the compensatory activation of the PMC and SMA of the affected hemisphere while walking for those with hemiplegia.
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Objective:To explore the effect of combining functional electric stimulation (FES) with upper limb cycle training in rehabilitating upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living after a stroke.Methods:Sixty hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. In addition to conventional rehabilitation therapy, the experimental group underwent 20 minutes of MOTOmed upper limb cycle training every day while receiving FES. The control group received only the 20 minutes of cycle training. Before and after 4 weeks, Brunnstrom staging was used to quantify hand and upper extremity functioning. The Fulg-Meyer assessment upper extremity scale (FMA-UE) and the modified Barthel index (MBI) were also used before the training and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of the treatments.Results:After 4 weeks of treatment, significant differences were observed in the average BS scores of both groups compared with before the intervention. The average hand and upper limb stages of the experimental group were significantly better than the control group′s averages. Significant improvement was also observed in the average FMA-UE and MBI scores of both groups after only one week, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group.Conclusions:Supplementing upper limb cycle training with FES can significantly improve the upper limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily living of stroke survivors. It is more effective than the MOTOmed exercise alone.
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Objective To explore the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) rehabilitation cycling on lower limb motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods From November, 2017 to December, 2020, 36 children with spastic hemiplegia in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 18) and observation group (n = 18). The control group received routine rehabilitation training twice a day, and the observation group received FES rehabilitation cycling in addition, for eight weeks. Before and after treatment, the muscle tension of gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles on hemiplegic side was evaluated by modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the change of walking speed was evaluated by 10-meter walking speed, the change of walking endurance was evaluated by 6-minute Walking Test, the walking function was evaluated by areas D and E of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the energy consumption was evaluated by physiological cost index (PCI) . Results Two cases dropped out in the observation group. After training, there was no significant difference in MAS score of gastrocnemius muscle in both groups (t < 1.145, P > 0.05), the MAS score of hamstring muscle significantly decreased in the observation group (t = 4.869, P < 0.001), and no significant change was found in the control group (t = 1.458, P > 0.05). After training, the 10-meter walking speed, 6-minute walking distance, the score of GMFM and PCI significantly improved in both groups (|t| > 6.241, P < 0.001), and were better in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.097, P < 0.05). Conclusion FES rehabilitation cycling training can improve the lower limb motor function of children with spastic hemiplegia.
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Objective To explore the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) rehabilitation cycling on lower limb motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods From November, 2017 to December, 2020, 36 children with spastic hemiplegia in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 18) and observation group (n = 18). The control group received routine rehabilitation training twice a day, and the observation group received FES rehabilitation cycling in addition, for eight weeks. Before and after treatment, the muscle tension of gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles on hemiplegic side was evaluated by modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), the change of walking speed was evaluated by 10-meter walking speed, the change of walking endurance was evaluated by 6-minute Walking Test, the walking function was evaluated by areas D and E of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the energy consumption was evaluated by physiological cost index (PCI) . Results Two cases dropped out in the observation group. After training, there was no significant difference in MAS score of gastrocnemius muscle in both groups (t < 1.145, P > 0.05), the MAS score of hamstring muscle significantly decreased in the observation group (t = 4.869, P < 0.001), and no significant change was found in the control group (t = 1.458, P > 0.05). After training, the 10-meter walking speed, 6-minute walking distance, the score of GMFM and PCI significantly improved in both groups (|t| > 6.241, P < 0.001), and were better in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.097, P < 0.05). Conclusion FES rehabilitation cycling training can improve the lower limb motor function of children with spastic hemiplegia.
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Stroke is one of the most serious diseases that threaten human life and health. It is a major cause of death and disability in the clinic. New strategies for motor rehabilitation after stroke are undergoing exploration. We aimed to develop a novel artificial neural rehabilitation system, which integrates brain-computer interface (BCI) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) technologies, for limb motor function recovery after stroke. We conducted clinical trials (including controlled trials) in 32 patients with chronic stroke. Patients were randomly divided into the BCI-FES group and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) group. The changes in outcome measures during intervention were compared between groups, and the trends of ERD values based on EEG were analyzed for BCI-FES group. Results showed that the increase in Fugl Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Kendall Manual Muscle Testing (Kendall MMT) scores of the BCI-FES group was significantly higher than that in the sham group, which indicated the practicality and superiority of the BCI-FES system in clinical practice. The change in the laterality coefficient (LC) values based on μ-ERD (ΔLC
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Humans , Electric Stimulation , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Electroencephalography , Recovery of Function , Stroke/therapy , Stroke RehabilitationABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and long-term effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on cerebral palsy. Methods:Literature retrieval was carried out in the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM), CNKI, Wanfang Database and VIP. The time limit was from the establishment of these databases to March 26th, 2020. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomized controlled trials about FES for children with cerebral palsy were included. At least two evaluators extracted the data independently and used Cochrane 5.1.0 bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of included studies. The data was analyzed with Review Manager 5.3 software. Results:A total of eleven studies with 513 children were included. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) D/E scores (MD = 8.14, 95%CI 6.26 to 10.02, P < 0.001), GMFM-88 B score (MD = 8.77, 95%CI 4.00 to 13.53, P < 0.001), modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score (MD = -1.05, 95%CI -1.25 to -0.84, P < 0.001), Kyphosis angle (MD = -10.67, 95%CI -12.21 to -9.13, P < 0.001), Cobb's angle (MD = -2.66, 95%CI -3.38 to -1.93, P < 0.001), step length (MD = 3.35, 95%CI 1.81 to 4.90, P < 0.001), walking speed (MD = 0.09, 95%CI 0.05 to 0.14, P < 0.001) and GMFM score at six weeks follow-up (MD = 4.84, 95%CI 1.90 to 7.77, P = 0.001) were better in FES group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in MAS score between two groups after six weeks of follow-up (MD = 0.04, 95%CI -0.30 to 0.37, P = 0.84). Conclusion:FES could improve the lower-limb and trunk function of children with cerebral palsy, however, the long-term effect of relieving muscle spasm was not significant.
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Objective:To observe the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) controlled by brain-computer interface on upper limb motor dysfunction in stroke patients. Methods:From July, 2019 to November, 2020, 34 stroke patients hospitalized in neurological rehabilitation department were randomly divided into control group (n = 17) and experimental group (n = 17). They were treated with simple FES and FES controlled by brain-computer interface, respectively. The reaction time, joint position error of elbow joint, the scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), modified Barthel Index (MBI) and event-related desynchronization (ERD) powers of affected upper limb were evaluated before and after intervention. Results:After intervention, the reaction time, joint position error of the elbow joint, the scores of FMA, MBI and ERD power of the affected elbow joint improved in both groups (F > 10.825, |Z| > 3.624, P < 0.05), and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group (F > 5.853, |Z| > 3.201, P < 0.05). Conclusion:FES controlled by brain-computer interface is positive on the rehabilitation of stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of functional electrical stimulation on upper-limb function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods:Randomized controlled trials about functional electrical stimulation on upper-limb function in stroke patients with hemiplegia were recalled from databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang data, CBM and VIP. The quality of the trials was evaluated and the data were extracted. Data were analyzed with RevMan 5.3. Results:A total of 13 trials involving 744 patients were included. Functional electrical stimulation group could improve upper-limb motor function more compared with routine rehabilitation group (MD = 9.77, 95%CI 6.36 to 13.17,P < 0.001), whatever less than 30 minutes a time (MD = 9.78, 95%CI 6.26 to 13.29,P < 0.001) or more than 45 minutes a time (MD = 14.20, 95%CI 0.99 to 27.40,P < 0.05), for less than four weeks (MD = 5.82, 95%CI 2.58 to 9.06,P < 0.001) or more (MD = 13.42, 95%CI 8.43 to 18.41,P < 0.001). Functional electrical stimulation group also improved the activities of daily living for stroke patients (MD = 13.72, 95%CI 11.60 to 15.84,P < 0.001). Conclusion:Functional electrical stimulation is effective on upper-limb motor function and activities of daily living for stroke patients with hemiplegia, which could be widely applied in clinic.
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Objective:To explore the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-assisted rehabilitation cycling on motor function, cardiopulmonary fitness and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke. Methods:From January, 2016 to April, 2019, 60 patients with first-onset stroke at subacute stage were divided into control group (n = 30) and experimental group (n = 30). The experimental group and the control group received cycling training with or without FES based on the routine treatment for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), and measured peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) before and after treatment. Results:The scores of FMA and MBI, and VO2peak increased in both groups after treatment (|t| > 7.889, P < 0.001), and the scores of FMA and VO2peak increased more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 3.332, P < 0.01). Conclusion:FES-assisted rehabilitation cycling could promote the recovery of motor function, cardiopulmonary fitness and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of combination functional electrical stimulation (FES) and standing frame training on standing balance in stroke patients. METHODS: Patients who had hemiparesis and postural instability after stroke were randomly assigned to one of the two groups; study group underwent FES on the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscle simultaneously with standing balance training. The control group received standing frame training and FES separately. Both the groups received their respective therapies for 3 weeks. Stability index in Biodex Balance master system, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), manual muscle test, the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index, and Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination were used to evaluate the effects of the treatment. RESULTS: In total, 30 patients were recruited to the study group and 30 to the control group. Three weeks after treatment, both the groups showed improvement in postural stability scores and physical and cognitive functions. When changes in postural stability were compared between the groups, the study group showed more significant improvement than the control group with regards to the scores of BBS and the stability indices. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found the therapeutic effectiveness of combined therapy of FES and standing frame in subacute stroke patients. The presented protocol is proposed as time-saving and can be applied easily in the clinical setting. Thus, the proposed combined therapy could be a useful method for improving standing balance in subacute stroke patients.
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Humans , Cognition , Electric Stimulation , Methods , Paresis , Rehabilitation , StrokeABSTRACT
Exercise-based training decreases hospitalizations in heart failure patients but such patients have exercise intolerance. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of Tai Chi exercise and lower limb muscles' functional electrical stimulation in older chronic heart failure adults. A total of 1,084 older adults with chronic systolic heart failure were included in a non-randomized clinical trial (n=271 per group). The control group did not receive any kind of intervention, one group received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles (FES group), another group practiced Tai Chi exercise (TCE group), and another received functional electrical stimulation of lower limb muscles and practiced Tai Chi exercise (FES & TCE group). Quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of all patients were evaluated. Compared to the control group, only FES group had increased Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (P<0.0001, q=9.06), only the TCE group had decreased heart rate (P<0.0001, q=5.72), and decreased peak oxygen consumption was reported in the TCE group (P<0.0001, q=9.15) and FES & TCE group (P<0.0001, q=10.69). FES of lower limb muscles and Tai Chi exercise can recover the quality of life and cardiorespiratory functions of older chronic heart failure adults (trial registration: Research Registry 4474, January 1, 2015).
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Humans , Aged , Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Tai Ji/methods , Lower Extremity/physiopathology , Heart Failure, Systolic/rehabilitation , Quality of Life , Chronic Disease , Treatment Outcome , Heart Failure, Systolic/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Objective To observe of the effect of neurophysiological facilitation of respiration combined with external diaphragm pacing on the respiration of stroke survivors. Methods Sixty-four stroke survivors were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group, each of 32. Both groups were given routine drugs, while the treatment group was additionally provided with an external diaphragm pacemaker. Those in the treatment group also received neurophysiological facilitation of respiration six times a week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment, ar-terial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) was measured in both groups along with arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), arterial oxygen saturation ( O2sat) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Ultrasonography was used to measure diaphragm mobility at the end of expiration and inspiration (Δm) , diaphragm mobility of the end of forced inspiration and expiration ( ΔM), and the difference of diaphragm thickness ( Δd). First second forced expiratory volume ( FEV), and maximum voluntary ventilation (FVC) were also measured. Results After the treatment, the average PaO2, PaCO2, O2sat, CRP, Δm, ΔM, FEV and FVC of the treatment group were all significantly better than before the treatment and better than those of the control group. Conclusion Neurophysiological therapy combined with an external diaphragm pacemaker can significantly improve the respiration of stroke survivors, reducing the risk of lung infection.
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Abstract Introduction People with cervical or high thoracic spinal cord injury usually have respiratory muscle weakness. When transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation (TFES) synchronized with the patient's natural breathing is applied to respiratory muscles, their strength and resistance are increased. In this work, we propose a novel method to perform an automatic synchronization, composed of a signal acquisition system and an algorithm that recognizes both respiratory cycle phases during quiet breathing. Methods The respiratory signal acquisition unit consists of a load cell attached to an elastic belt. The algorithm is based on statistical evaluation and linear approximation for detecting the beginning of both inhalation and exhalation phases. Ten volunteers remained steady, breathing quietly for one minute for signal acquisition. Results The system's automatic detection of inspiratory events reached 87.5% of true positives, 6.7% of false negatives and 5.8% of false positives. Both hit and error ratios obtained in the detection of expiratory events reached 94.3% true positives, 4.9% false positives and 0.8% false negatives. Conclusion The developed algorithm can identify the respiratory phases properly and it can be used in future synchronized TFES applications whether the patient remains in a quasi-static position during treatment.
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RESUMO Objetivo Investigar e mensurar os efeitos da eletroestimulação na musculatura orofacial e nas funções de mastigação, respiração e deglutição dos indivíduos com síndrome de Down. Método Participaram da pesquisa 16 indivíduos com Síndrome de Down, sendo seis do gênero masculino e dez do gênero feminino com idade entre 9 e 25 anos, participantes de um projeto de extensão institucional. Foram realizadas avaliações fonoaudiológicas com uso do protocolo AMIOFE antes e após a intervenção, que consistiu em oito sessões de eletroestimulação semanais. A corrente utilizada foi a Functional Electrical Estimulation (FES), com uma frequência de 10Hz no aquecimento e 30 Hz na aplicação, em um tempo ON de 5s e OFF de 10s comuns nas duas etapas, e com a largura de pulso de 200(µs) no aquecimento e 250(µs) na aplicação. Resultados Observaram-se diferenças significativas após aplicação da eletroestimulação (FES) em relação ao aspecto das bochechas quando comparadas flacidez/arqueamento pré e pós o estímulo elétrico, diferenças na mobilidade de língua (lateralidade direita e esquerda), no comportamento da musculatura na execução das funções estomatognáticas de respiração, melhoria no comportamento dos lábios durante a deglutição e mudanças expressivas no processo de mastigação (mordida e trituração). Conclusão Foi identificado estatisticamente que houve efeito após a eletroestimulação associada ao treino mastigatório nos músculos masseteres, com ganhos funcionais na execução da mastigação, respiração e deglutição, em pessoas com Síndrome de Down.
ABSTRACT Purpose Investigate and measure the effects of electrostimulation on the orofacial musculature and on the chewing, breathing and swallowing functions of individuals with Down syndrome. Methods Study participants were 16 individuals with Down syndrome (six males and 10 females) from an institutional extension project aged nine to 25 years. Speech-language pathology assessment was performed using the protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES) pre- and post-intervention. This protocol comprised eight weekly electrostimulation sessions. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) current was used at a frequency of 10Hz in warm-up and 30Hz in application, intermittent stimulation (cycling pulses) with ON-time of 5s and OFF-time of 10s common to both stages, and pulse width of 200μs in warm-up and 250μs in application. Results Significant differences were observed between pre- and post-application of FES regarding cheek appearance (flaccidity and arching), tongue mobility (right and left laterality), and musculature behavior during performance of functions of the stomatognathic system: respiration, deglutition (lip behavior), and mastication (bite and trituration). Conclusion Effects of electrostimulation associated with masticatory training of the masseter muscles were statistically identified, with functional gains in chewing, breathing and swallowing performance in individuals with Down syndrome.
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Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Young Adult , Tongue/physiology , Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods , Down Syndrome/physiopathology , Deglutition/physiology , Electromyography , Mastication/physiology , Stomatognathic System/physiology , Longitudinal Studies , Masseter MuscleABSTRACT
@#Objective To observe the effects of mirror therapy (MT) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on motor of lower extremities, walking ability and activities of daily living for subacute stroke patients. Methods From July, 2016 to December, 2017, 38 subacute stroke patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=20) and control group (n=18). All the patients received routine rehabilitation. The control group accepted FES, and the treatment group accepted FES and MT, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. Results Both groups improved in the scores of FMA-LE and MBI, and grade of FAC after treatment (Z>3.002, t>7.985, P<0.01), and the scores of FMA-LE improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (Z=-2.037, P<0.05). There was no difference between two groups in the scores of MBI and grade of FAC (t=-1.044, Z=-1.287, P>0.05). Conclusion The addition of MT on FES may further improve the lower extremities motor function, but not enough to improve their walking and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients.
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@#Objective To explore the effects of mirror therapy on walking of stroke patients. Methods From September, 2016 to May, 2017, 60 hemiplegic patients after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and treatment group (n=30). The control group received routine rehabilitation and functional electrical stimulation (FES), while the treatment group received mirror therapy in addition. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-lower limbs (FMA-L), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Holden Rating of Walking Function before and eight weeks after treatment. Results The scores of FMA-L and Berg Balance Scale, as well as the walking ability improved in both groups after treatment (t>4.557, Z>4.666, P<0.001), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (t>5.832, Z=-2.086, P<0.05).Conclusion Mirror therapy, based on FES, can further improve the walking in hemiplegic patients after stroke.
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@#Objective To explore the effects of mirror therapy on walking of stroke patients. Methods From September, 2016 to May, 2017, 60 hemiplegic patients after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and treatment group (n=30). The control group received routine rehabilitation and functional electrical stimulation (FES), while the treatment group received mirror therapy in addition. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-lower limbs (FMA-L), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Holden Rating of Walking Function before and eight weeks after treatment. Results The scores of FMA-L and Berg Balance Scale, as well as the walking ability improved in both groups after treatment (t>4.557, Z>4.666, P<0.001), and improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (t>5.832, Z=-2.086, P<0.05).Conclusion Mirror therapy, based on FES, can further improve the walking in hemiplegic patients after stroke.
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Objective To investigate the effect of contralateral controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) on the upper limb motor function in patients with acute and subacute hemiplegia.Methods Forty-eight patients with cerebral apoplexy were randomly divided into control,neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) experiment,and CCFES experiment groups,with 24 patients in each group.The two groups received routine drug treatment and rehabilitation training.For 4 weeks (6 days/week),all the patients were assessed before and after treatment by using the Fugl-Meyer locomotor rating scale (FMA),Wolf motor function test (WMFT),wrist extension active joint activity evaluation (WEAROM),and modified Barthel index (MBI).Results were statistically analyzed,and curative effects were compared.Results Before treatment,no significant differences in FMA,WMFT,WEAROM,and MBI scores were found between the two groups.At the fourth week after the intervention,the FMA,WMFT,WEAROM,and MBI scores were all significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).The FMA,WMFT,and WEAROM scores were all higher in the treatment group than in the control group,and the differences between the two groups were significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CCFES can effectively improve the upper limb motor function in patients with acute and subacute stroke.