title: Ability of electrical stimulation therapy to improve the effectiveness of robotic training for paretic upper limbs in patients with stroke.
abstract: We investigated whether untriggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can increase the effectiveness of shoulder and elbow robotic training in patients with hemiparesis. Thirty subacute stroke patients were randomly equally allocated to robot only (RO) and robot and electrical stimulation (RE) groups. During training, shoulder and elbow movements were trained by operating the robotic arm with the paretic arm, and the robotic device helped to move the arm. In the RE group, the anterior deltoid and triceps brachii muscles were electrically stimulated at sub-motor threshold intensity. Training was performed (approximately 1h/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks) in addition to regular rehabilitation. Active range of motion (ROM) values of shoulder flexion and abduction, and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scores were measured before and after training. Active shoulder ROM was significantly better after than before training in the RE group; however, no such improvement was noted in the RO group. FMA scores were significantly better in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the groups. Untriggered NMES might increase the effectiveness of shoulder and elbow robotic training in patients with hemiparesis. Additionally, NMES at a sub-motor threshold during robotic training might facilitate activation of paretic muscles, resulting in paralysis improvement.
authors.affiliation: Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 423, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan; Fujita Health University Nanakuri Memorial Hospital, 424-1, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1295, Japan. Electronic address: hmiyasak@fujita-hu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyasaka
authors.affiliation: Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 423, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan. Electronic address: orand@fujita-hu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orand
authors.affiliation: Fujita Health University Nanakuri Memorial Hospital, 424-1, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1295, Japan. Electronic address: kuro_beni_14@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.affiliation: Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 423, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan; Fujita Health University Nanakuri Memorial Hospital, 424-1, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1295, Japan. Electronic address: gtanino@fujita-hu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Genichi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanino
authors.affiliation: Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 423, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan. Electronic address: ktakeda@fujita-hu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: Fujita Memorial Nanakuri Institute, Fujita Health University, 423, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan; Fujita Health University Nanakuri Memorial Hospital, 424-1, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1295, Japan; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine II, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 424-1, Oodori-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-1296, Japan . Electronic address: doctor.sonoda@nifty.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sonoda
mesh_terms: D004550:Elbow; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010291:Paresis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D012371:Robotics; D012782:Shoulder; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Functional electrical stimulation; Hemiplegia; Reaching movement; Robot rehabilitation; Therapeutic electrical stimulation