Abstract
Purpose: Electrical stimulation therapy is used for training of the upper limbs in hemiplegic patients. It has been reported that this therapy can improve the functions of the paralyzed upper limb while suppressing spasticity. In this study, we applied integrated volitional control electrical stimulation (IVES) therapy for rehabilitation of the paralyzed upper limbs of sub-acute hemiplegic patients.
Methods: Our objective was to investigate the carry-over effect of this method during stroke rehabilitation in patients. IVES therapy was conducted for 20 minutes per day for one week. To investigate the carry-over effect, we measured the active wrist dorsiflexion angles at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after daily rehabilitation sessions. Compared to the resulted obtained before the start of rehabilitation, the active wrist dorsiflexion angles had improved.
Results: The SIAS and MAS also showed improvement. However, the differences were not significant. While active wrist dorsiflexion angles at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the daily sessions were decreased compared to those before rehabilitation, the active dorsiflexion angles were only significantly different for 60, 90, and 120 minutes. The dorsiflexion angle at one week after the start of rehabilitation was significantly improved at 90 and 120 minutes after daily sessions, compared with the angle at the start of rehabilitation.
Conclusions: Our findings revealed the long-term therapeutic effects of IVES.
