Background: Impaired limb mobility is the most troublesome condition in patients after cerebral stroke. The application of the electrode-glove might reduce dysfunctions in patients treated due to stroke.
Objective: The electrode-glove use in rehabilitation is investigated. The study was conducted on 54 patients aged 28 - 72 (the mean age 54.3 ± 10.3) with hemiparesis who had suffered from cerebral stroke. The patients from Group 1 were applied bipolar stimulation of forearm muscles (flexors and extensors of the wrist joint and hand) with the use of two flat electrodes of the same size. With regards to Group 2, in the study used an electrode-glove.
Methods: The excitation threshold was determined once a week with the use of the EMG.
Secondary outcomes: The evaluation of the electromyographic bioelectric activity of flexor and extensor muscles in the forearm, of the functional mobility of the hand according to the Brunnström test and of the functional mobility of the hand according to the seven-graded task Frenchay scale.
Results: The authors of the study observed a much greater improvement in the function of the hand in Group 2, where the mean value increased by 2.1 points. With regards to Group 1, the mean value increased by 1 point and the differences of the results in the studied groups after the therapy were statistically significant (p = 2.830).
Conclusions: The electrical stimulation method controlled/triggered by muscle contractions is an effective method of normalization of muscle tension in the forearm and hand as well as restoration of the hand function in patients with cerebral stroke.
Keywords: Cerebral stroke; electrostimulation; hand function.