Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Flexor Spasticity and Function in Stroke Patients

Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stroke; Spastic Hemiplegia

Treatments: Other: Control (Standard treatment); Other: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06725069

E2-24-9437

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study, the investigators aimed to determine the effects of botulinum neurotoxin type A injections for wrist and finger flexor spasticity and neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy applied to wrist and finger flexors or extensors on upper extremity flexor spasticity and function in stroke patients.

Full description

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy applied to wrist and finger flexors (agonist application) or wrist and finger extensors (antagonist application) after botulinum neurotoxin type A injections in stroke patients with wrist and finger flexor spasticity in upper extremity flexor spasticity, To determine the effects on motor recovery, upper extremity and hand functions, hand grip strength, range of motion, functional independence, quality of life, hand skills and sonographically evaluated muscle thickness and to compare these different applications.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Diagnosed with ischemic or hemorhagic stroke after imaging with CT/MRI
2. First time stroke survivor
3. between 45-75 years old
4. Stroke duration > 3 months
5. Neurologically stable
6. Affected wrist and finger flexor muscle spasticity with MAS≥2
7. Patients whose cognitive status is at a level to understand the study instructions MMT> 23)

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of another neurological disorder other than stroke causing motor impairment/spasticity
2. Fixed contracture in the hand-wrist
3. Use of medical treatment for spasticity
4. Having received neurolytic therapy, BoNT-A injection or NMES treatment in the last 3 months
5. Skin problem (disease, allergy, infection, etc.) on the contact surface of the NMES
6. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), sequelae of previous trauma or surgery (muscle tendon adhesion, peripheral nerve damage) in the affected extremity
7. Having a pacemaker
8. Epilepsy
9. Malignancy

Trial design

36 participants in 3 patient groups

Agonist NMES

Description:

In the first group, NMES (Group 1=Agonist group) was applied to the wrist and finger flexors for 20 minutes in addition to conventional treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Antagonist NMES

Description:

In the second group, NMES (Group 2=Antagonist group) was applied to the wrist and finger extensors for 20 minutes in addition to conventional treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Exercise

Description:

Patients in the third group (Group 3=Control group) were included in an occupational rehabilitation program for 20 minutes to improve upper extremity functions in addition to conventional treatment.

Treatment:

Other: Control (Standard treatment)