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Neurological Sciences

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01-12-2020 | Stroke | Original Article

How does cross-education affects muscles of paretic upper extremity in subacute stroke survivors?

Authors: Ozan Volkan Yurdakul, Mehmet Serkan Kilicoglu, Aylin Rezvani, Okan Kucukakkas, Fatma Eren, Teoman Aydin

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 12/2020

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of adding electromuscular stimulation (EMS) to the flexors of wrist muscles on the nonparetic limb in conventional stroke training to strengthen homologous agonist and antagonist muscles on the paretic side in patients with subacute stroke.

Methods

The EMS group patients (n = 15) received conventional therapy for 30 sessions for 6 weeks (60 min/session) with 30 min of electrical stimulation to their nonparetic forearm using wrist flexors, with 5 min of pre- and post-warm-up. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) group patients (n = 15) received the same conventional rehabilitation training with 30 min of conventional antalgic TENS at a barely sensible level to their nonparetic forearm. The Fugl–Meyer motor function assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), functional independence measure (FIM), Brunnstrom staging of recovery for hand, maximum and mean wrist flexion force (flexion_max and flexion_mean), and wrist extension force (extension_max and extension_mean) of paretic untrained limb were evaluated before and after the treatment.

Results

EMS and TENS group patients improved similarly in terms of FMA-UE, FIM, and Brunnstrom staging for hand recovery. However, flexion_max and flexion_mean of the paretic limb increased more in the EMS group than in the TENS group. Extension_max and extension_mean on the paretic side increased in the EMS group but did not differ in the TENS group.

Conclusion

Cross-education via EMS may have a beneficial effect as an adjunct to conventional treatment methods. This study is retrospectively registered and is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT04113369).

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Title: How does cross-education affects muscles of paretic upper extremity in subacute stroke survivors?
Authors: Ozan Volkan Yurdakul
Mehmet Serkan Kilicoglu
Aylin Rezvani
Okan Kucukakkas
Fatma Eren
Teoman Aydin
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Stroke
Hemiplegia
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04506-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

How does cross-education affects muscles of paretic upper extremity in subacute stroke survivors?

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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