The instant effect of upper extremity functional electrical stimulation on stroke patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the immediate effect of applying a portable functional electrical stimulation device (PUEFESD) to the upper extremities of stroke patients.Methods Twenty stroke survivors were selected.Pairs of electrodes of the PUEFESD were applied on the dorsal and palm sides of the affected forearm and thenar to stimulate the extensors and flexors as well as the thenar muscles sequentially according to a programmed protocol.Functional evaluation was conducted before and immediately after the stimulation.All participants were assessed with regard to their motor function and performance in the activities of daily living using an upper extremity function test (UEFT),the upper extremity motor function portion of the Fugal-Meyer assessment (FMA),and rating with the modified Barthel index (MBI).A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain in the affected upper extremity.Results The patients' average FMA score was 19.4 ± 7.1 before the stimulation and 30.4 ± 9.6 after.The corresponding UEFT scores were 3.6 ± 3.7 and 26.9 ± 5.9,and the average MBI scores were 53.8 ± 26.2 and 65.8 ± 17.7.All of these increases were statistically significant.The average VAS score,however,did not change significantly.Conclusions Functional electric stimulation can quickly improve upper extremity function and the ADL ability of stroke patients,but pain is not relieved significantly.