Article

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evidence for the effectiveness of exercise training
in promoting recovery of upper extremity function after cervical spinal cord
injury. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE and PEDro were used to search the literature. REVIEW METHODS: Two reviewers independently selected and
summarized the included studies. Methodological quality of the selected articles
was scored using the Downs and Black checklist.
RESULTS: A total of 16 studies
were included, representing a total of 426 participants. Overall, the internal
validity and reporting of the studies was fair to good, while power and external
validity were poor. Interventions included exercise therapy, electrical
stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, robotic training and repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation. Most of the studies reported improvements in
muscle strength, arm and hand function, activity of daily living or quality of
life after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Training including exercise therapy,
electrical stimulation, functional electrical stimulation of the upper limb
following cervical spinal cord injury leads to improvements in muscle strength,
upper limb function and activity of daily living or quality of life. Further
research is needed into the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation and robotic training on upper limb function.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS