Effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Wrist and Finger Flexor Spasticity in Hemiplegia.

NeuroRehab Team
Thursday, October 17th, 2019

Electrical Stimulation

Yuzer GFN, Dönmez, Özgirgin N. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2017 (in press).

This randomized trial investigated the effects of functional electrical stimulation of the wrist and finger extensor muscles of patients with chronic stroke who had spasticity of their wrist flexors. The electrical stimulation intervention was applied for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week for a total of 20 sessions to fully extend the wrist and finger flexors.

Outcomes were measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA), Brunnstrom (BS) hand neurophysiological staging, Barthel Index (BI), and Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT).

Compared to the control group, the study group receiving the electrical stimulation demonstrated significantly greater increases in passive and active wrist range of motion and overall function. Only the group receiving the electrical stimulation showed significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in function of the treated upper extremity.

This study emphasizes the effectiveness of incorporating electrical stimulation into the overall rehabilitation plan. Be sure to find a device that is easy to use so that it can be performed at home, increasing your ability to follow through with the home exercise program. As with any exercise regimen, the more you practice, the better the result.

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