| Methods |
Design: Randomised controlled trial, parallel groups.
Randomisation: Participants assigned to groups using a computer generated random number table.
Dropouts: n = 7 because of medical instability requiring transfer to acute medical care facilities. |
| Participants |
n = 16 recruited.
Experimental: n = 4 completed, 2 male and 1 left hemisphere stroke. Mean age 60 (SD 15.6) years. Mean time after stroke 17.5 (SD 2.4) days.
Control: n = 5 completed, 2 male and 5 left hemisphere stroke. Mean age 69.6 (SD 16.2) years. Mean time after stroke 18.2 (SD 2.3) days.
Study criteria: (1) first time stroke survivors admitted to a rehabilitation hospital within 6 weeks of stroke onset; (2) single nonhaemorrhagic lesion; (3) detectable EMG signal from extensor carpi radialis of hemiparetic arm; (4) volitional wrist extension in synergy or isolation with muscle grade of less than 3/5; (5) no neurological co‐morbidity that impaired strength in the affected upper extremity; (6) no taking medication that impaired neuromuscular performance; (7) no pacemaker; (8) not an insensate forearm. |
| Interventions |
Duration: Length of rehabilitation stay.
Experimental:
Category = 5.
EMG‐triggered electrostimulation using an all or none stimulus was set for maximum range of movement. Duty cycle set for 5 seconds on and 5 seconds off. Frequency adjusted to participant comfort between 20 and 100 Hz, pulse width of 0.2ms, 0‐60 mA, biphasic square wave. Stimulus threshold gradually increased with each session as voluntary recruitment increased. Participants received two 30‐minute treatment sessions, five times a week for the duration of their rehabilitation stay. All experimental participants also received standard stroke rehabilitation.
Control: In addition to standard stroke rehabilitation the control group received two additional 30‐minute individual therapy sessions a day for range of motion and strengthening exercises for the wrist.
Comparison: Electrostimulation vs conventional. |
| Outcomes |
Baseline measurement: Upon admission.
Outcome measurement: Upon discharge.
Included outcomes: (1) Fugl‐Meyer upper extremity assessment; (2) FIM self care component. |
| Notes |
No data provided about initial group allocation of participants who withdrew during the treatment phase. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
