title: Dose-response relation between neuromuscular electrical stimulation and upper-extremity function in patients with stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of different doses of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on upper-extremity function in acute stroke patients with severe motor deficit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six acute stroke patients were randomized to 3 groups: high NMES, low NMES, or control. The low-NMES group received 30 minutes of stimulation per day, and the high-NMES group received 60 minutes per day, for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment Scale, Action Research Arm Test, and Motor Activity Log were used to assess the patients at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post baseline (follow-up).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both NMES groups showed significant improvement on Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment and Action Research Arm Test scales compared with the control group at week 4 and follow-up. The high-NMES group showed treatment effects similar to those of the low-NMES group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher and lower doses of NMES led to similar improvements in motor function. A minimum of 10 hours of NMES in combination with regular rehabilitation may improve recovery of arm function in stroke patients during the acute stage.
authors.forename: Shu-Shyuan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Ming-Hsia
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yen-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ping-Keung
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Jan-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Ching-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology