title: Improving arm function in chronic stroke: a pilot study of sensory amplitude electrical stimulation via glove electrode during task-specific training.
abstract: To investigate the effects of sensory amplitude electrical stimulation (SES) delivered by glove electrode during task-specific exercise on arm movement, function, and sensation in chronic stroke.
  
  
  
  The design was an intervention pilot study, pre-test, post-test, follow-up design. The settings used were a university research laboratory and home-based intervention. Participants comprised of 11 individuals with chronic stroke (7.2 ± 4.1 years post onset) and moderate arm paresis, 10.82/20 ± 2.27 on the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM) - Arm Subscale. Participants were seven males and four females (mean age: 59 years). Participants were recruited from university-based database. Intervention- Participants engaged in task-specific training at home for 30 min, twice daily, for 5 weeks, while receiving SES via glove electrode. Participants received supervised task practice at least twice during intervention period for 1 hour. Main outcome measures- Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), STREAM - Arm Subscale, Motor Activity Log-14 (MAL-14) - Amount and Quality Subscales, and Nottingham Stereognosis Assessment (NSA).
  
  
  
  Significant changes were found in group mean pre- and post-test comparisons on the NSA (P = 0.042), MAL amount subscale (P = 0.047), and JTHFT (with writing item 29 excluded) (P = 0.003) and in pre-test to follow-up comparisons on NSA (P = 0.027) and JTHFT (writing item excluded) (P = 0.009). There was no significant change on the STREAM (P = 1.0). Individuals with a greater baseline motor capacity determined by STREAM scores (P = 0.048) and more recent stroke (P = 0.014) had significantly greater improvements.
  
  
  
  Combining task-specific training with glove-based SES in chronic stroke resulted in changes in arm sensation and function that were maintained at 3-month follow-up.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hensley
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rohaus
authors.forename: Clay
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schewe
authors.forename: Colby
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whittey
authors.forename: Piper
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muir
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Arm; Electrical stimulation; Stroke