Influence of Sensory Electrical Stimulation on Hand Functions in Chronic Stroke Patients (SES-Hand)

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Stroke; Hand Functionality

Treatments: Other: task specific training program; Other: sensory electrical stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06826976

P.T. REC/012/005208

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the impact of sensory electrical nerve stimulation (SENS) on hand function in chronic stroke patients. Thirty participants were randomly divided into two groups:

Study Group (A): Received SENS combined with task-specific training.

Control Group (B): Received only task-specific training.

Assessments conducted before and after the intervention included measurements of grip strength, pinch strength, wrist range of motion, and performance on the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT).

Full description

This study explores the effectiveness of sensory electrical nerve stimulation (SENS) in enhancing hand function among chronic stroke patients. Thirty participants were randomly divided into two groups:

Study Group (A): Received SENS combined with task-specific training.

Control Group (B): Received only task-specific training.

Assessment Methods:

Before and after the intervention, both groups underwent evaluations using:

Grip Dynamometer: To measure grip strength.

Pinch Dynamometer: To assess pinch strength.

Digital Goniometer: To determine wrist flexion and extension range of motion.

Action Research Arm Test (ARAT): To evaluate upper limb functional performance.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who have experienced their first-ever ischemic stroke in the carotid system domain.
• Age range: 40 to 65 years old.
• Duration of illness: 30 to 180 days since stroke onset.
• Spasticity of the affected hand muscles (wrist flexors, finger flexors, and finger adductors) must be grade 1+ or less according to the Modified Ashworth Scale.
• Hand dysfunction severity ranges from mild to severe, defined by a score of ≤ 4 on the Medical Research Council Scale.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of a deformity in the paralytic upper limb before the stroke.
• History of a lower motor neuron lesion in the impaired upper extremity (e.g., polyneuropathy) before the stroke.
• Skin abrasions or ulcerations on the affected upper limb.
• Unstable health conditions, including cardiac dysfunction, end-stage renal failure, unstable diabetes, or uncontrolled hypertension (>190/110).
• Presence of a pacemaker or other implanted electrically sensitive devices.
• Significant orthopedic conditions or chronic pain syndromes.
• Chronic use of medications that may influence motor or sensory excitability (e.g., anti-epileptic or antipsychotic drugs).
• Pregnancy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Sensory electrical stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

received sensory electrical stimulation and task specific training program

Treatment:

Other: sensory electrical stimulation

Task specific training

Active Comparator group

Description:

received task specific training program only. Patients were tested pre and post treatment by Grip dynamometer, Pinch dynamometer, Digital goniometer and Action Research Arm Test Scale (ARAT).

Treatment:

Other: task specific training program