Electrophysiological and clinical evaluation of the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the spasticity in the hemiplegic stroke patients

[Purpose] To investigate whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) mitigates the spasticity of hemiplegic stroke patients, as assessed by electrophysiological variables, and the effects, if any, on the clinical appearance of spasticity. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven subjects who had acute hemiplegia and 24 healthy people as the control group, were enrolled in this study. Some of the acute cerebrovascular disease patients could walk. Subjects who did not have spasticity, who were taking antispasticity medicine, or had a previous episode of cerebrovascular disease were excluded. The walking speed of the patients was recorded before and after TENS. EMG examinations were performed on the healthy controls and in the affected side of the patients. A 30-minute single session of TENS was applied to lower extremity. At 10 minutes after TENS, the EMG examinations were repeated. [Results] A statistically significant decrease in the spasticity variables, and increased walking speed were found post-TENS. The lower M amplitude and higher H reflex amplitude, H/M maximum amplitude ratio, H slope, and H slope/M slope ratio on the spastic side were found to be statistically significant. [Conclusion] TENS application for hemiplegic patients with spastic lower extremities due to cerebrovascular disease resulted in marked improvement in clinical scales of spasticity and significant changes in the electrophysiological variables. © 2015 The Society of Physical Therapy Science

Short-term effects of upper extremity circuit resistance training on muscle strength and functional independence in patients with paraplegia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A number of exercises to strengthen the upper extremities are recommended to increase functional independence and quality of life (QoL) in patients with paraplegia. Circuit resistance training (CRT) is a type of progressive resistive exercise performed repeatedly at fixed mechanical exercise stations. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of CRT for upper extremity muscle strength, functional independence, and QoL in patients with paraplegia