title: Comparison of the Effects of Contralaterally Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Upper Extremity Functions in Patients with Stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is an innovative method to improve upper extremity functions after stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of CCFES versus neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the upper extremity functions in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with stroke were randomly assigned into CCFES group (n=30) or NMES group (n=30). All patients were also treated with conventional medical treatment and rehabilitation training. Patients in CCFES group received CCFES to the affected wrist extensors while the NMES group received NMES. The stimulus current was biphasic wave with a pulse duration of 200 μs and a frequency of 60 Hz. The electrical stimulation lasted for 20 min per session, 5 sessions per week for 3 weeks. The intensity of the CCFES was based on the electromyography (EMG) value of the unaffected side while the subjects voluntarily extended their unaffected wrist slightly (<10% range of motion, ROM), moderately (about 50% ROM) and completely (100% ROM). Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), motricity index (MI), the Hong Kong version of functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) and active range of motion (AROM) of wrist extension were measured before and after 3 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the baseline values, both groups showed significant improvements in all the measurements after treatment (p<0.05). Patients in CCFES group showed significantly higher upper extremity FMA, FTHUE-HK scores and AROM of wrist extension than those in NMES group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with the conventional NMES, CCFES provides better recovery of upper extremity function in patients with stroke.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Zhifei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Yabei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Chiun-Fan
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Wenchao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Yongqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wentong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yuting
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Ti-Fei
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210029, China. shanclhappy@163.com.
authors.forename: Chunlei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*