Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term efficacy of neuromuscular electrical
stimulation in enhancing motor recovery in the upper extremities of stroke
patients. METHODS: A total of 46 patients with stroke were assigned to a
neuromuscular electrical stimulation group or a control group. All patients
received a standard rehabilitation programme. Patients in the neuromuscular
electrical stimulation group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation for 30
min, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Measurements were recorded before treatment, at
the 2nd and 3rd week of treatment and 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment ended.
The Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity, the upper extremity section of the
Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, and the Modified Barthel Index were used to assess
the results. RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in both groups in terms
of Fugl-Meyer motor assessment, and Modified Ashworth Scale scores after the 3rd
week of treatment. The significant improvements persisted 1 month after treatment
had been discontinued. At 3 and 6 months after treatment was discontinued the
average scores in the neuromuscular electrical stimulation group were
significantly better than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Three weeks of
neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the affected upper extremity of patients
with stroke improves motor recovery. The effect persists for at least 6 months.

Langue : ANGLAIS