Effects of motor imagery combined with functional electrical stimulation on upper limb motor function of patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective To explore the effects of motor imagery (MI) combined with the third generation functional electrical stimulation (FES) on upper limb motor function in acute ischemic stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods Forty acute ischemic stroke patients, within 48 h of onset, were randomly divided into FES group (N = 20) and combination group (FES combined with motor imagery, N = 20). All patients received basic routine rehabilitation training, for example, good limb positioning, accepting braces, balance training and training in the activities of daily living (ADL). FES group received the third generation FES therapy and the combination group also received motor imagery for 2 weeks. All of the patients were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and active range of motion (AROM) of wrist dorsiflexion before and after 2 weeks of treatment. Results After 2 weeks of treatment, the 2 groups had significantly higher FMA score, ARAT score and AROM of wrist dorsiflexion than that in pre-treatment (P = 0.000, for all). Besides, the FMA score (t = - 2.528, P = 0.016), ARAT score (t = - 2.562, P = 0.014) and AROM of wrist dorsiflexion (t = - 2.469, P = 0.018) in the combination group were significantly higher than that in the FES group. There were interactions of treatment methods with observation time points (P < 0.05, for all). Conclusions Motor imagery combined with the third generation FES can effectively promote the recovery of upper limb motor function and motion range of wrist dorsiflexion in patients with acute ischemic stroke. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.03.008