Effects of repetitive facilitative exercise with neuromuscular electrical stimulation, vibratory stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the hemiplegic hand in chronic stroke patients

The stratified effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in upper limb motor impairment recovery after stroke: a meta-analysis

Background

The recovery of upper extremity motor impairment after stroke remains a challenging task. The clinical effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which is believed to aid in the recovery process, is still uncertain.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in Medline (Ovid), Cochrane and Embase electronic databases from March 28, 2014, to March 28, 2023. The inclusion criteria consisted of randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of rTMS on the recovery of upper limb motor impairment among stroke patients. Various measurements, including the Fugl Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity Scale (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage, Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and Barthel index, were evaluated both before and after the intervention.

Results

Nineteen articles with 865 patients were included. When considering only the rTMS parameters, both inhibitory and excitatory rTMS improved FMA-UE (MD = 1.87, 95% CI = [0.88]-[2.86], p < 0.001) and Barthel index (MD = 9.73, 95% CI = [4.57]-[14.89], p < 0.001). When considering only the severity of upper limb hemiplegia, both less severe (MD = 1.56, 95% CI = [0.64]-[2.49], p < 0.001) and severe (MD = 2.05, 95% CI = [1.09]-[3.00], p < 0.001) hemiplegia benefited from rTMS based on FMA-UE. However, when considering the rTMS parameters, severity of hemiplegia and stroke stages simultaneously, inhibitory rTMS was found to be significantly effective for less severe hemiplegia in the acute and subacute phases (MD = 4.55, 95% CI = [2.49]-[6.60], p < 0.001), but not in the chronic phase based on FMA-UE. For severe hemiplegia, inhibitory rTMS was not significantly effective in the acute and subacute phases, but significantly effective in the chronic phase (MD = 2.10, 95% CI = [0.75]-[3.45], p = 0.002) based on FMA-UE. Excitatory rTMS was found to be significantly effective for less severe hemiplegia in the acute and subacute phases (MD = 1.93, 95% CI = [0.58]-[3.28], p = 0.005) based on FMA-UE. The improvements in Brunnstrom recovery stage and ARAT need further research.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of rTMS depends on its parameters, severity of hemiplegia, and stroke stages. It is important to consider all these factors together, as any single grouping method is incomplete.

Feasibility and usability of a virtual-reality-based sensorimotor activation apparatus for carpal tunnel syndrome patients

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the usability of a virtual reality-assisted sensorimotor activation (VRSMA) apparatus for individual digit rehabilitation. The study had two main objectives: Firstly, to collect preliminary data on the expectations and preferences of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) regarding virtual reality (VR) and an apparatus-assisted therapy for their affected digits. Secondly, to evaluate the usability of the VRSMA apparatus that was developed.

METHODS

The VRSMA system consists of an apparatus that provides sensory and motor stimulation via a vibratory motor and pressure sensor attached to a button, and a virtual reality-based visual cue provided by texts overlaid on top of a 3D model of a hand. The study involved 10 CTS patients who completed five blocks of VRSMA with their affected hand, with each block corresponding to the five digits. The patients were asked to complete a user expectations questionnaire before experiencing the VRSMA, and a user evaluation questionnaire after completing the VRSMA. Expectations for VRSMA were obtained from the questionnaire results using a House of Quality (HoQ) analysis.

RESULTS

In the survey for expectations, participants rated certain attributes as important for a rehabilitation device for CTS, with mean ratings above 4 for attributes such as ease of use, ease of understanding, motivation, and improvement of hand function based on clinical evidence. The level of immersion and an interesting rehabilitation regime received lower ratings, with mean ratings above 3.5. The survey evaluating VRSMA showed that the current prototype was overall satisfactory with a mean rating of 3.9 out of 5. Based on the HoQ matrix, the highest priority for development of the VRSMA was to enhance device comfort and usage time. This was followed by the need to perform more clinical studies to provide evidence of the efficacy of the VRSMA. Other technical characteristics, such as VRSMA content and device reliability, had lower priority scores.

CONCLUSION

The current study presents a potential for an individual digit sensorimotor rehabilitation device that is well-liked by CTS patients.

User Participatory Design of a Wearable Focal Vibration Device for Home-Based Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke often leads to the significant impairment of upper limb function and is associated with a decreased quality of life. Despite study results from several interventions for muscle activation and motor coordination, wide-scale adoption remains largely elusive due to under-doses and low user compliance and participation. Recent studies have shown that focal vibration has a greater potential to increase and coordinate muscle recruitment and build muscle strength and endurance. This form of treatment could widely benefit stroke survivors and therapists. Thus, this study aimed to design and develop a novel wearable focal vibration device for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke survivors. A user participatory design approach was used for the design and development. Five stroke survivors, three physical therapists, and two occupational therapists were recruited and participated. This pilot study may help to develop a novel sustainable wearable system providing vibration-based muscle activation for upper limb function rehabilitation. It may allow users to apply the prescribed vibratory stimuli in-home and/or in community settings. It may also allow therapists to monitor treatment usage and user performance and adjust the treatment doses based on progression.

Combination therapy with repetitive facilitative exercise program and botulinum toxin type A to improve motor function for the upper-limb spastic paresis in chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial

STUDY DESIGN

An open-label, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded trial.

INTRODUCTION

Repetitive facilitative exercise (RFE) is a movement therapy to recover from hemiparesis after stroke. However, improvement is inhibited by spasticity. Recently, botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection has been shown to reduce spasticity.

PURPOSE

To examine the combined effect of an RFE program and BoNT-A treatment on upper-limb spastic paresis in chronic stroke.

METHODS

Forty chronic stroke inpatients with upper-limb spastic paresis (Brunnstrom stage ≥III and Modified Ashworth Scale [MAS] score ≥1) were enrolled. Subjects were randomized into 2 groups of 20 each and received 4 weeks of treatment. The intervention group received RFE and BoNT-A injection; the control group underwent RFE only. Assessments were performed at baseline and at study conclusion. The primary outcome was change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment score for the upper extremity (FMA). The Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), active range of motion, Box and Block Test, and MAS were also evaluated.

RESULTS

All participants completed this study. After 4 weeks, the intervention group evidenced a significantly greater increase in FMA score (median 11.0 [range 4-20]) than the control group (median 3.0 [range 0-9]) (P < .01, r = 0.79); as well as improvements in the other measures such as ARAT (median 12.5 [range 4-22] vs 7 [0-13]) (P < .01, r = 0.6), and MAS in the elbow flexors (median -1.5 [range -2 to 0] vs -1 [-2 to 0]) (P < .01, r = 0.45).

DISCUSSION

A high degree of repetitive volitional movement induced by the facilitative technique with concomitant control of spasticity by BoNT-A injection might increase efficiency of motor learning with continuous movement of the affected upper-limb.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of RFE and BoNT-A for spastic paresis might be more effective than RFE alone to improve upper-limb motor function and to lessen impairment in chronic stroke.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Assessment of Functional Magnetic Stimulation on the Effect of Glenohumeral Subluxation in Acute Poststroke Hemiplegic Patients

Background

Glenohumeral subluxation (GHS) is common in patients with acute hemiplegia caused by stroke. GHS and upper limb function are closely related.

Objective

Using musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) to objectively evaluate the efficacy of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) in the treatment of GHS in acute hemiplegic patients after stroke.

Methods

The study used prospective case control study. Stroke patients with GHS were recruited and assigned to control group and FMS group. Control group received electrode stimulation at the supraspinatus and deltoid muscles of the hemiplegic side, while FMS group was stimulated at the same locations. Before and after treatment, the distances of the acromion-greater tuberosity (AGT), acromion-lesser tuberosity (ALT), acromiohumeral distance (AHD), supraspinatus thickness (SST), and deltoid muscle thickness (DMT) in patients' bilateral shoulder joint were measured by MSUS, respectively. Meanwhile, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was used to evaluate the improvement of upper limb function.

Results

30 patients were recruited. After FMS treatment, there was a significant decrease in the difference value between ipsilateral side and contralateral side of AGT [t = 8.595, P < 0.01], ALT [t = 11.435, P < 0.01], AHD [t = 8.375, P < 0.01], SST [t = 15.394, P < 0.01], and DMT [t = 24.935, P < 0.01], and FMA score increased [t = −13.315, P < 0.01]. Compared with control group, FMS group decreased more significantly in the difference value between ipsilateral side and contralateral side of AGT [t = 2.161, P < 0.05], ALT [t = 3.332, P < 0.01], AHD [t = 8.768, P < 0.01], SST [t = 6.244, P < 0.01], and the DMT [t = 3.238, P < 0.01], and FMA score increased more significantly in FMS group [t = 7.194, P < 0.01].

Conclusion

The study preliminarily shows that the MSUS can objectively and dynamically evaluate the treatment effect of GHS in hemiplegic patients. Meanwhile, compared with control group, the FMS is more effective and has fewer side effects, and the long-term effect of FMS is worth further study. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800015352.

Effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) after acute stroke: A one-year longitudinal randomized trial

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor recovery after stroke using a prospective, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study.

METHODS

Patients with unilateral subcortical infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory within 1 week after onset were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into an rTMS treatment group and a sham group. We performed high-frequency rTMS or sham rTMS on the two groups. Motor functional scores were assessed pre- and post-rTMS/sham rTMS and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after stroke onset. The scores included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Limb/Lower Limb (FMA-UL/LL), modified Rank Score (mRS), and the resting motor threshold (RMT) of the hemiplegic limb.

RESULTS

At baseline, no significant differences were found between the two groups for motor functional scores. On the second day after rTMS treatment, score improvements of the NIHSS, BI, FMA-UL in the real treatment group were more significant than those in the sham group. In addition, similar results were obtained at 1 month. However, at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after onset, no significant differences in improvement were observed between the two groups, except for the FMA-UL score improvement.

CONCLUSION

rTMS facilitates motor recovery of acute stroke patients, and the effect can last to 1 month, except the function improvement on upper extremities could last for 1 year. A single course of rTMS in the acute stage may induce the improvement of upper extremities function lasted for 1 year.

Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper extremity motor recovery and functional outcomes in chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was suggested as a preconditioning method that would increase brain plasticity and that it would be optimal to combine rTMS with intensive rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of inhibitory rTMS on upper extremity motor recovery and functional outcomes in chronic ischemic stroke patients.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, experimental group received low-frequency (LF) rTMS to the primary motor cortex of the unaffected side + physical therapy (PT), and control group received PT.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found in baseline demographical and clinical characteristics of the subjects including stroke severity or severity of paralysis prior to intervention. There were statistically significant improvements in all clinical outcome measures except for the Brunnstrom Recovery Stages. Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Box and Block test, motor and total scores of Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Functional Ambulation Scale (FAS) scores were significantly increased in both groups, however, these changes were significantly greater in the rTMS group except for FAS score. FIM cognitive scores and standardized mini-mental test scores were significantly increased and distal and hand Modified Ashworth Scale scores were significantly decreased only in the rTMS group (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

LF-rTMS can safely facilitate upper extremity motor recovery in patients with chronic ischemic stroke. TMS seems to be a promising treatment for motor, functional, and cognitive deficits in chronic stroke. Further studies with a larger number of patients with longer follow-up periods are needed to establish its effectiveness in stroke rehabilitation.

Short-term effects of physiotherapy combining repetitive facilitation exercises and orthotic treatment in chronic post-stroke patients

[Purpose] This study investigated the short-term effects of a combination therapy consisting of repetitive facilitative exercises and orthotic treatment. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were chronic post-stroke patients (n=27; 24 males and 3 females; 59.3 ± 12.4 years old; duration after onset: 35.7 ± 28.9 months) with limited mobility and motor function. Each subject received combination therapy consisting of repetitive facilitative exercises for the hemiplegic lower limb and gait training with an ankle-foot orthosis for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremity, the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set as a measure of motor performance, the Timed Up & Go test, and the 10-m walk test as a measure of functional ambulation were evaluated before and after the combination therapy intervention. [Results] The findings of the Fugl-Meyer assessment, Stroke Impairment Assessment Set, Timed Up & Go test, and 10-m walk test significantly improved after the intervention. Moreover, the results of the 10-m walk test at a fast speed reached the minimal detectible change threshold (0.13 m/s). [Conclusion] Short-term physiotherapy combining repetitive facilitative exercises and orthotic treatment may be more effective than the conventional neurofacilitation therapy, to improve the lower-limb motor performance and functional ambulation of chronic post-stroke patients.