Relationships among the Timing of Initiation of Treatment Using Combined (Electrical and Vibratory Stimuli) Repetitive Facilitative Exercise for the Upper Limb, Severity of Palsy, and Level of Improvement in Post-stroke Hemiplegia

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine whether the effects of repetitive facilitative exercises combined with electrical stimulation and vibration stimulation (combined RFE) on paralysis improvement in the upper limb are influenced by the treatment initiation time and paralysis severity. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 211 stroke patients (195 upper limbs, 202 fingers) in the acute phase to chronic phase. Ueda’s 12-step hemiplegia function test was used to evaluate hemiplegia. [Results] The improvement of upper limbs and fingers by the combined RFE was significant regardless of the level and stage of paralysis. [Conclusion] Combined RFE improves hemiplegia regardless of the level and stage of paralysis.