Can surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist and hand combined with routine therapy facilitate recovery of arm function in patients with stroke?

Authors: Rosewilliam, S., Malhotra, S., Roffe, C., Jones, P. and Pandyan, A.D.

Journal: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume: 93

Issue: 10

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.05.017

Abstract:

Rosewilliam S, Malhotra S, Roffe C, Jones P, Pandyan AD. Can surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist and hand combined with routine therapy facilitate recovery of arm function in patients with stroke? Objective: To investigate whether treatment with surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors improves recovery of arm function in severely disabled patients with stroke. Design: Single blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Acute stroke unit and stroke rehabilitation wards of a university hospital. Participants: Patients with no upper limb function (Action Research Arm Test [ARAT] score 0) (N=90; mean age ± SD, 74±11y; 49% men) were recruited to the study within 6 weeks of stroke. Only 67 participants were alive at the end of the study and data from 66 of these people were analyzed. Interventions: Participants were randomized to surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation using surface electrical stimulators for 30 minutes, twice in a working day for 6 weeks in addition to standardized upper limb therapy or just standardized upper limb therapy. Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure was the ARAT score. Assessments were made at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after recruitment. Results: There were statistically significant improvements in measures of wrist extensor (mean difference 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-1.0) and grip strength (mean difference 0.9; 95% CI, 0.1-1.7) over the treatment period. Arm function (ARAT score) was not significantly different between the groups over the treatment period at 6 weeks (mean difference 1.9; 95% CI, -2.9 to 6.8) or over the study period at 36 weeks (mean difference 6.4; 95% CI, -1.8 to 14.7), and the rate of recovery was not significantly different (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.6). Conclusions: In patients with severe stroke, with no functional arm movement, electrical stimulation of wrist extensors improves muscle strength for wrist extension and grip, and larger studies are required to study its influence on arm function. © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Source: Scopus

Can surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist and hand combined with routine therapy facilitate recovery of arm function in patients with stroke?

Authors: Rosewilliam, S., Malhotra, S., Roffe, C., Jones, P. and Pandyan, A.D.

Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Volume: 93

Issue: 10

Pages: 1715-21.e1

eISSN: 1532-821X

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.05.017

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether treatment with surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors improves recovery of arm function in severely disabled patients with stroke. DESIGN: Single blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Acute stroke unit and stroke rehabilitation wards of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with no upper limb function (Action Research Arm Test [ARAT] score 0) (N=90; mean age ± SD, 74±11y; 49% men) were recruited to the study within 6 weeks of stroke. Only 67 participants were alive at the end of the study and data from 66 of these people were analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation using surface electrical stimulators for 30 minutes, twice in a working day for 6 weeks in addition to standardized upper limb therapy or just standardized upper limb therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome measure was the ARAT score. Assessments were made at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after recruitment. RESULTS: There were statistically significant improvements in measures of wrist extensor (mean difference 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-1.0) and grip strength (mean difference 0.9; 95% CI, 0.1-1.7) over the treatment period. Arm function (ARAT score) was not significantly different between the groups over the treatment period at 6 weeks (mean difference 1.9; 95% CI, -2.9 to 6.8) or over the study period at 36 weeks (mean difference 6.4; 95% CI, -1.8 to 14.7), and the rate of recovery was not significantly different (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe stroke, with no functional arm movement, electrical stimulation of wrist extensors improves muscle strength for wrist extension and grip, and larger studies are required to study its influence on arm function.

Source: PubMed

Can Surface Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of the Wrist and Hand Combined With Routine Therapy Facilitate Recovery of Arm Function in Patients With Stroke?

Authors: Rosewilliam, S., Malhotra, S., Roffe, C., Jones, P. and Pandyan, A.D.

Journal: ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Volume: 93

Issue: 10

Pages: 1715-1721

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.05.017

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Can surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist and hand combined with routine therapy facilitate recovery of arm function in patients with stroke?

Authors: Rosewilliam, S., Malhotra, S., Roffe, C., Jones, P. and Pandyan, A.D.

Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation

Volume: 93

Issue: 10

Pages: 1715-21.e1

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.05.017

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate whether treatment with surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the wrist extensors improves recovery of arm function in severely disabled patients with stroke.

Design

Single blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Acute stroke unit and stroke rehabilitation wards of a university hospital.

Participants

Patients with no upper limb function (Action Research Arm Test [ARAT] score 0) (N=90; mean age ± SD, 74±11y; 49% men) were recruited to the study within 6 weeks of stroke. Only 67 participants were alive at the end of the study and data from 66 of these people were analyzed.

Interventions

Participants were randomized to surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation using surface electrical stimulators for 30 minutes, twice in a working day for 6 weeks in addition to standardized upper limb therapy or just standardized upper limb therapy.

Main outcome measure

The primary outcome measure was the ARAT score. Assessments were made at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks after recruitment.

Results

There were statistically significant improvements in measures of wrist extensor (mean difference 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-1.0) and grip strength (mean difference 0.9; 95% CI, 0.1-1.7) over the treatment period. Arm function (ARAT score) was not significantly different between the groups over the treatment period at 6 weeks (mean difference 1.9; 95% CI, -2.9 to 6.8) or over the study period at 36 weeks (mean difference 6.4; 95% CI, -1.8 to 14.7), and the rate of recovery was not significantly different (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI, -0.2 to 1.6).

Conclusions

In patients with severe stroke, with no functional arm movement, electrical stimulation of wrist extensors improves muscle strength for wrist extension and grip, and larger studies are required to study its influence on arm function.

Source: Europe PubMed Central