| Methods |
Design: Randomised controlled trial, parallel groups.
Randomisation: Randomly assigned with the restriction that only 5 were assigned to the control group.
Dropouts: None reported. |
| Participants |
25 participants were recruited to this study but only 15 participants (10 in experimental and 5 in control group) are included in this review. The mean age for the 25 participants was 63.7 years, mean time since stroke was 39.1 months. 12 participants had a left hemiplegia and 13 a right hemiplegia.
Study criteria: (1) suffered a stroke at least one year before recruitment to study; (2) diagnosis of no more than 2 strokes on the same side of the brain; (3) mild to moderate upper extremity chronic hemiparesis; (4) lower limit of 10 degrees from a 90 degree wrist flexed position; (5) an upper limit of 80% motor recovery as indicated by comparing the rectified EMG activation patterns and sustained force contractions of the impaired and unimpaired limbs; (6) absence of other neurological deficits including a pacemaker; (7) no use of drugs for spasticity. |
| Interventions |
Duration: 2 weeks.
Experimental:
Category = 5.
EMG triggered stimulation to extensor communis digitorum and extensor carpi ulnaris. When target threshold of EMG activity was voluntarily achieved the stimulation was triggered of 1 second ramp up, 5 seconds biphasic stimulation at 50 Hz, pulse width 200ms, 1 second ramp down and mA range of 16 to 29. Parameters were set that assisted the muscles to execute a full range of motion. Each trial was separated by 25 seconds of rest. A session consisted of 3 sets of 30 successful EMG‐triggered trials (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). 6 hours of training (4 days) were completed during 2 weeks. All experimental participants received unilateral arm movement training given to the control group.
Control: Unilateral arm movement training. After stretching, participants tried to voluntarily extend their wrist/fingers for 5 seconds followed by 25 seconds of rest. These repeated movement attempts and rest periods continued for approximately 90 minutes.
Comparison: Electrostimulation vs no treatment. |
| Outcomes |
Baseline measurement: Pre‐intervention.
Outcome measurement: After the intervention at 2 weeks.
Included outcomes: (1) box and blocks test; (2) premotor reaction time; (3) motor reaction time; (4) sustained muscle contraction unilateral.
Other outcomes: (1) sustained muscle contraction bilateral. |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
