Effects of Bilateral Arm Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on Upper Limb Function for Subacute Stroke Hemiplegic Patients / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effects of bilateral arm transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) based on mirror therapy (MT) on upper limb function of subacute stroke hemiplegic patients. Methods:From September, 2017 to October, 2019, 48 subacute stroke hemiplegic patients were randomly divided into control group (n = 24) and experimental group (n = 24). All the patients accepted routine rehabilitation and MT, while the experimental group received bilateral arm TEAS and the control group received sham TEAS, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. Results:All the scores of FMA-UE, ARAT, WMFT and MBI improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 11.870, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.678, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Bilateral arm TEAS based on MT can promote the upper limb function of subacute stroke hemiplegic patients.