A functional electric stimulation-assisted exercise therapy system for hemiplegic hand function.
OBJECTIVE
To test a functional electric stimulation (FES)-assisted exercise therapy system for improvement of motor function of the hemiplegic upper extremity.


METHODS
A before-after trial, with 2-month follow-up.


METHODS
A university research laboratory.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 6 subjects (3 men, 3 women). Main inclusion criteria were that stroke had occurred more than 1 year before the study (mean time poststroke, 5.6+/-4.4y) and had resulted in hemiplegia, and that FES produced adequate hand opening.


METHODS
A prototype workstation with instrumented objects was used by subjects to perform a set of tasks with their affected hand during 1-hour sessions for 12 consecutive workdays. A FES stimulator was used to assist hand opening. Main outcome measures Kinematic data, provided by the workstation sensors, and 3 clinical tests.


RESULTS
Kinematic data indicated statistically significant improvement in subjects' performance (pre-/posttreatment effect size [pre/post ES] of the mean performance scores=5.46; mean pretreatment/follow-up ES [pre/FU ES]=3.44). Two of 3 clinical tests showed improvement in hand function (mean pre/post ES=.51; mean pre/FU ES=.61).


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement in hemiplegic hand function because of FES-assisted therapy was documented in a small group of people with hemiplegia whose motor impairment would exclude them from participation in constraint-induced movement therapy. However, the long-term clinical relevance of such improvement needs further study.
Gritsenko
Valeriya
V
Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Admonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada. valeriya@ualberta.ca
Prochazka
Arthur
A
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis