Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
electrical stimulation
Brief summary
This study investigated whether electrical stimulation (ES) prior to a hand function training session for a total of eight weeks can better improve neuromuscular control and hand function in subacute stroke individuals and change electroencephalography-electromyography (EEG-EMG) coherence, as compared to the control (sham ES).
Detailed description
Subjects were randomly assigned into ES and control groups. Both groups received 20-minute hand function training twice a week, and the ES group received 40-minute ES on the median nerve of the affected side before each training session. The control group received sham ES - electrodes were placed on the same location but no electric current was applied. EEG, EMG and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) were collected before, at the 4th week, at the end of 8th week, and 4 weeks after the end of intervention.
Interventions
OTHERElectrical stimulation
sensory electrical stimulation was applied prior to upper limb functional training
electrodes were placed on the same location as the Electrical stimulation condition, but no electric current was applied
Sponsors
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. first-ever cerebral cortical region involved chronic stroke, onset over a month, 2. able to perform active thumb flexion on the affected side with the scores of manual muscle test at least two points, and 3. at stable medical condition for intervention
Exclusion criteria
1. history of other neurological disorders, 2. cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination score \<24, MMSE),26 3. unable to follow orders, 4. contraindications of ES, and 5. under 20 years old
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity | before intervention, four weeks after, at the end of the eight-week intervention and four weeks after the intervention period ended | evaluate changes in upper extremity function of the stroke subjects |
| EEG-EMG coherence | before intervention, four weeks after, at the end of the eight-week intervention and four weeks after the intervention period ended | evaluate changes in functional connectivity between motor cortex and active muscles |
Outcome results
None listed