Protocolo intensivo de estimulación eléctrica funcional y terapia en espejo tras un accidente cerebro vascular: estudio de caso / Intensive protocol of functional electrical stimulation and mirror therapy after a stroke: a case study

Objetivos: evaluar la efectividad de la combinación de la estimulación eléctrica funcional y terapia en espejo en la recuperación de la función de la extremidad superior en personas con un accidente cerebro vascular. Métodos: estudio de caso pre- post en una persona con accidente cerebro vascular. Para la recogida de datos se han empleado diversas escalas como: Functional Independence Measure, Motor Activity Log, Box & Blocks Test o Abilhand entre otras. La intervención duró 8 semanas en las que se realizaron 3 sesiones semanales, sumando un total de 24 sesiones. Las evaluaciones se hicieron pre- y post-tratamiento. Discusión: la combinación de estas técnicas o abordajes ha demostrado ser eficaz, mejorando la funcionalidad de la extremidad superior y, consecuentemente, su calidad de vida e independencia de una persona que sufrió un accidente cerebro vascular.(AU)

Objective: Effectiveness evaluation of the combination of functional electrical stimulation and mirror therapy in the recovery of the upper limb function in people with stroke. Methods: Pre- post case study in a person with stroke. Various scales were used for data collection, such as: Functional Independence Measure, Motor Activity Log, Box & Blocks Test or Abilhand, among others. The intervention lasted 8 weeks in which 3 weekly sessions were held, making a total of 24 sessions. The assessments were done pre- and post-treatment. Discussion: The combination of these techniques or approaches has proven to be effective, improving the functionality of the upper extremity and, consequently, the quality of life and Independence of a person with stroke.(AU)

Analysis of the movements generated by a multi-field functional electrical stimulation device for upper extremity rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: The most common chronic sequela after stroke is the loss of arm function, and functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to the forearm muscles is one of the options to treat it. Surface multi-field electrodes have emerged, showing a great potential to improve the selectivity of the stimulation, delay muscle fatigue, and provide easier donning and doffing. The muscular selectivity takes on special relevance in the rehabilitation of the upper extremity as hand dexterity requires a wide diversity of specific muscle actions. METHODS: This pilot study analyses the movements generated in the wrist and fingers using a commercial multi-field technology-based FES device (Fesia Grasp). The study included five patients with hemiplegic subacute stroke, in which scanning of all cathodes of the electrode was carried out daily for 5 days, in two different forearm positions, with the resulting movements being labeled by experienced therapists. RESULTS: The aim of this pilot study was to determine if there were differences between subjects and between forearm positions in terms of produced movements. Movements of the wrist (two movements) and the fingers (six movements) could be achieved in two different forearm positions. CONCLUSIONS: The multi-field electrode of Fesia Grasp enables to generate a wide range of movements of the hand in different positions. This fact could allow to produce more physiological movement patterns during the rehabilitation process with FES, which could have a beneficial effect on the recovery of patients with neurological diseases.

Hand dexterity rehabilitation using selective functional electrical stimulation in a person with stroke.

We report a 69 year old who suffered a cardioembolic ischaemic stroke on 23 September 2019, which resulted in a left hemiplegia with motor impairment in upper and lower extremities that made impossible for her to use the affected arm in daily living activities. The person commenced her comprehensive physiotherapy programme based on functional electrical stimulation (FES) in Fesia Clinic rehabilitation centre in October 2020. A multifield technology-based FES device was used, which allowed to train different selective movements in isolation and combined with mirror therapy, achieving excellent functional outcomes.