Effect of Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) using Muscle Intelligence (MI) Action Technology and Functional Hand Orthosis in Improving Arm-hand Skilled Performance (AHSP) in Post-stroke Subjects – A Pilot Study

Author: Rajan Samuel A. and Anita Prem

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Abstract

Impaired hand function is a common consequence of stroke, affecting around 87 percent of stroke subjects leading to limited ability to perform their activities of daily living. So, the necessity arises to achieve and maintain improvement in both arm-hand function (AHF) and arm-hand skilled performance (AHSP). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is being commonly used in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases. When electrical stimulation (ES) regimens are combined with mechanical strategies such as robotic training or neuroprosthetics, or other types of orthoses, better results are obtained. This is a pilot study with the objective of investigating the effectiveness of combining a neuro muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) regimen adjunct with a functional hand orthosis (Saebo Glove) in reducing wrist flexor spasticity and improving hand performance. A sample of 20 post-stroke subjects with hand function impairments were divided into two groups to compare the improvement in arm-hand skilled performance (AHSP) using Action Research Arm Test. The control group received the conventional physiotherapy management and the experimental group received neuro muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) using Muscle intelligence (MI) action technology combined with a functional hand orthosis, along with conventional physiotherapy management. Both groups showed improvement in arm hand skilled performance following intervention. The improvement in arm-hand skilled performance gained by experimental group was significantly better than the control group (0.005441). Sub-acute post stroke subjects treated with Neuro muscular electrical stimulation using Muscle intelligence action technology combined with a functional hand orthosis along with conventional physiotherapy management showed better improvement in arm-hand skilled performance than those who were given conventional physiotherapy management alone. In muscle intelligence action technology voluntary contractions are combined with stimulated contractions at the subject’s own pace, so that the user is in control of his/her training. The Saebo Glove improves hand strength and mobility of patients so that they can effectively grab objects. These aspects contribute to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Keywords

Neuro muscular electrical stimulation, Functional hand orthosis (Saebo Glove), Arm-Hand skilled performance, Muscle intelligence action technology

Conclusion

The results from this pilot study show that a 6-week program of a combined NMES-MI technology-Saebo Glove along with conventional physiotherapy management is feasible and likely to improve the AHSP by reducing wrist flexor spasticity and improving hand movement in post-stroke subjects with hand function impairment better than the conventional physiotherapy management. A larger and more comprehensive study is going on to further assess and expand on these preliminary findings.

References

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How to cite this article

Rajan Samuel A. and Anita Prem (2023). Effect of Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Using Muscle Intelligence (MI) Action Technology and Functional Hand Orthosis in Improving Arm-hand Skilled Performance (AHSP) in Post-stroke Subjects – A Pilot Study. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1093-1096.