Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) May Modify the Poor Prognosis of Stroke Survivors with Severe Motor Loss of the Upper Extremity

• DOI: 10.1097/phm.0b013e31817fabc1
• Publication Date: 2009-03-05T20:32:27Z
• Authors: Gad Alon; Alan F. Levitt; Patricia A. McCarthy
• Keywords: Functional electrical stimulation; Stroke

This nonblinded, block-randomized clinical trial tested the hypothesis that task-oriented functional electrical stimulation (FES) can enhance recovery of upper-extremity volitional motor control and ability in patients with poor prognosis.Ischemic stroke survivors (FES + exercise group, n = 13, 17.4 +/- 7.6 days after stroke, exercise-only group 23.8 10.9 stroke) trained task-specific exercises, 30 min, twice each day. The FES practiced exercises combined enabled opening closing paretic hand continued without for up to 90 mins additional time a Both groups 12 wks. Volitional (modified Fugl-Meyer [mF-M]), function (Box & Blocks [B&B], Jebsen-Taylor light object lift [J-T]) were video recorded both upper extremities at baseline 4, 8, wks.Mean mF-M score (24 13.7) was significantly better (P 0.05) wks compared scored 14.2 10.6 points. B&B mean did not reach statistical significance 0.058) favor (10.5 2.4 blocks) over (2.5 4.9 blocks). J-T task differ between groups. Eight three (control) regained transfer five or more blocks 0.051), six two completed sec less training 0.09).FES as used this preliminary study is likely minimize loss, but it may use extremity ischemic stroke. Anecdotally, regain some FES. Patients severe loss require prolonged training.