title: Functional electrical therapy: retraining grasping in spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical efficacy of functional electrical therapy in the rehabilitation of grasping function for quadriplegics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized intervention-versus-control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rehabilitation hospital for spinal cord injury in Toronto, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 people with new spinal cord injuries ranging from C3 to C7 were randomly assigned to two groups: Control (N=9) and Intervention (N=12). The intervention was functional electrical therapy, which consisted of repetitive grasping exercises using a neuroprosthesis that applied surface electrical stimulation to the arm to generate and/or assist grasping movements. It was applied by registered Occupational Therapists in a clinical setting. Main outcome measures were: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM), and the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory Hand Function Test. Consumer perceptions of functional electrical therapy were assessed via qualitative interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences between the Control and Intervention groups could be observed although they are not significant due to an insufficient number of participants. Consumer perceptions were positive, including improved Activities of Daily Living and self-satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional electrical therapy has the potential to be an effective treatment modality to restore grasping function in quadriplegia. It can be implemented by occupational therapists in a clinical setting. Further research is required to establish suitable indications for participant selection. In addition, a larger number of participants is needed to demonstrate statistical significance of the Functional Electrical Therapy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Popovic
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Thrasher
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Takes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zivanovic
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Tonack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome