Electromyogram-triggered neuromuscular stimulation for improving the arm function of acute stroke survivors: a randomized pilot study
G Francisco, J Chae, H Chawla, S Kirshblum, R Zorowitz, G Lewis, S Pang, G Francisco, J Chae, H Chawla, S Kirshblum, R Zorowitz, G Lewis, S Pang
Abstract
Objective: To assess the efficacy of electromyogram (EMG)-triggered neuromuscular stimulation (EMG-stim) in enhancing upper extremity motor and functional recovery of acute stroke survivors.
Design: A pilot randomized, single-blinded clinical trial.
Setting: Freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facility.
Patients: Nine subjects who were within 6 weeks of their first unifocal, nonhemorrhagic stroke were randomly assigned to either the EMG-stim (n = 4) or control (n = 5) group. All subjects had a detectable EMG signal (>5 microV) from the surface of the paretic extensor carpi radialis and voluntary wrist extension in synergy or in isolation with muscle grade of <3/5.
Intervention: All subjects received two 30-minute sessions per day of wrist strengthening exercises with EMG-stim (experimental) or without (control) for the duration of their rehabilitation stay.
Main outcome measures: Upper extremity Fugl-Meyer motor assessment and the feeding, grooming, and upper body dressing items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were assessed at study entry and at discharge.
Results: Subjects treated with EMG-stim exhibited significantly greater gains in Fugl-Meyer (27.0 vs 10.4; p = .05), and FIM (6.0 vs 3.4; p = .02) scores compared with controls.
Conclusion: Data suggest that EMG-stim enhances the arm function of acute stroke survivors.
Source: PubMed