| Methods |
Design: Randomised controlled trial, parallel groups.
Randomisation: 'randomised into two groups'.
Dropouts: None reported. |
| Participants |
Experimental: n = 26, 19 male and 16 right hemiparesis. Mean age 71 (SD 6) years. Mean time after stroke 9.1 (2.2) months.
Control: n = 18, 8 male and 11 right hemiparesis. Mean age 73 (SD 3.5) years. Mean time after stroke 8.3 (SD 2.1) months.
Study criteria: (1) first ever stroke; (2) paretic arm (scored 0‐50 points on Fugl‐Meyer Assessment); (3) 6‐12 months after stroke. |
| Interventions |
Duration: 3 months.
Experimental:
category = 7.
Low TENS to wrist extensors, elbow extensors and shoulder abductors. Stimulation of 1.7Hz in 8 pulse trains with an interval of 14ms. Treatment was initiated by physiotherapist and then patients continued at home. Stimulation sessions lasted for 60 minutes and were given 5 days a week for 3 months. All experimental participants also received the control intervention.
Control: Physiotherapy at a day centre usually provided twice a week.
Comparison: Electrostimulation vs no treatment. |
| Outcomes |
Baseline measurement: At start of study.
Outcome measurement: At end of study.
Included outcomes: (1) Fugl‐meyer score; (2) Modified Ashworth scale; (3) Barthel Index.
Other outcomes: (1) deep sensibility; (2) superficial sensibility; (3) passive range of movement; (4) active range of movement. |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
