Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for promoting functional recovery of an upper extremity after stroke:A randomized controlled trial

Objective To assess neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)for enhancing functional recovery in an upper extremity after stroke.Methods Thirty-seven survivors of a first stroke were randomly divided into a NMES group and a control group.The NMES group(n = 19)received stimulation on the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles and on the wrist extensor using surface electrodes.The stimulation current intensity was set to produce full shoulder and wrist extension with a duty cycle of 5 s on and 5 s off.The stimulus pulses had a symmetric biphasic waveform with a frequency 30 Hz,a pulse width of 300 μs,and amplitudes ranging between 0 to 90 mA.The current amplitude was adjusted according to each subject's sense of comfort.Treatments lasted for 30 min,once daily,5 d per week for 3 weeks.Both groups received the same standard rehabilitation program.Measurements included FuglMeyer motor assessment(FMA)for upper extremity function,somatosensory evoked potential(SEP)for motor function,as well as modified Barthel index(MBI)scores for the activities of daily living.Measurements were recorded before treatment,and after 2 and 3 weeks of treatment.Results Before treatment,there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,stroke severity,or the outcome measures.Significant differences were found in the FMA,MBI and SEP scores of the two groups after 3 weeks of treatment.Conclusion After three weeks of NMES on the affected upper extremity of subjects with early stroke,the patients' motor function had improved. Key words: Stroke; Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Arm; Randomized controlled trials