Electrical stimulation of the upper extremity in stroke: cyclic versus EMG-triggered stimulation

Kroon de, Joke R. and IJzerman, Maarten J. (2008) Electrical stimulation of the upper extremity in stroke: cyclic versus EMG-triggered stimulation. Clinical Rehabilitation, 22 (8). pp. 690-697. ISSN 0269-2155

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Abstract:	Objective: To compare the effect of cyclic and electromyography (EMG)-triggered electrical stimulation on motor impairment and function of the affected upper extremity in chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient clinic of a rehabilitation centre. Subjects and intervention: Twenty-two subjects in the chronic stage after stroke were randomly assigned to receive either cyclic (n = 11) or EMG-triggered electrical stimulation (n = 11) of the wrist and finger extensor muscles for a six-week period. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the Action Research Arm test (0—57 points) to assess arm function. Grip strength, Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment and Motricity Index were secondary outcome measures. Assessments were made at the start of the treatment and after 4, 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Both groups improved on the Action Research Arm test. The group receiving cyclic stimulation improved by 2.3 points, and the group receiving EMG-triggered stimulation improved by 4.2 points. The difference in functional gain was not statistically significant. Differences in gain on the secondary outcome measures were not significant either. Conclusion: The present study did not detect a significant difference between EMG-triggered and cyclic electrical stimulation with respect to improvement of motor function of the affected arm in chronic stroke.
Item Type:	Article
Copyright:	© SAGE Publications
Faculty:	Management and Governance (SMG)
Research Group:	Health Technology & Services Research (HTSR)
Link to this item:	http://purl.utwente.nl/publications/76987
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215508088984
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