| Methods |
Design: Randomised controlled trial, parallel groups.
Randomisation: Participants randomly assigned to experimental or control group.
Dropouts: None reported. |
| Participants |
Experimental: n = 14, 11 right hemiparesis. Mean age 59.43 (SD 10.90) years. Mean time since stroke 6.79 (SD 2.33) weeks.
Control: n = 14, 10 right hemiparesis, mean age 60.36 (SD 7.70) years. Mean time since stroke 6.43 (SD 1.91) weeks.
Study criteria: (1) imaging confirmed ischaemic or haemorrhagic CVA; (2) between 2 weeks and 6 months after stroke; (3) aged over 18 years; (4) able to give informed consent; (5) able to understand how to apply ES for controlling the grasp; (6) independent in ADL prior to stroke; (7) no severe medical condition in upper limbs precluding participation in the study; (8) no previous injury, disease or contracture affecting either upper limb; (9) no electrical devices e.g. pacemaker. |
| Interventions |
Duration: 3 weeks.
Experimental:
Category = 5.
Electrostimulation applied to extensor digitorum communis, flexor digitorum profundus/superficialis, extensor pollicis longus and abductor pollis/opponens. Participants used a switch to start a stimulation pattern to grasp or release an object. Pulse duration, frequency and amplitude set to minimise discomfort and yet provide external assistance to movement. Typical values were 50Hz, 300ms and 15‐45mA. Stimulation was applied for 3 weeks for 30 minutes daily. All experimental participants also received the control intervention.
Control:
Reaching actively for and functionally using ADL objects.
Comparison: Electrostimulation vs no treatment. |
| Outcomes |
Baseline measurement: At the start of the study.
Outcome measurement: After the 3 weeks of treatment.
Included outcomes: (1) upper extremity functioning test, number of repetitions; (2) co‐ordination of upper limb, drawing test
Other outcomes: (1) muscle tone, Ashworth; (2) upper extremity motor activity log amount scale; (3) upper extremity motor activity log, how well scale. |
| Notes |
It was not possible to include the other outcomes as no data were available for the outcome measurement time point. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
