Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and Repetitive facilitative exercise (RFE) improves motor impairment after stroke.
Objective: To investigate whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can facilitate the effects of rTMS and RFE on the function of the hemiparetic hand in stroke patients.
Methods: This randomized double-blinded crossover study divided 20 patients with hemiparesis into two groups and provided treatment for 4 weeks at 5 days/week. NMES-before-sham group and NMES-following-sham group performed NMES sessions and sham NMES sessions for each 2 weeks. Patients received NMES or sham NMES for the affected extensor muscle concurrently with 1 Hz rTMS for the unaffected motor cortex for 10 min and performed RFE for 60 min. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Box and Block Test (BBT) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) were used for evaluation.
Results: FMA and ARAT improved significantly during both sessions. The gains in the BBT during an NMES session were significantly greater than those during a sham NMES session. MAS for the wrist and finger significantly decreased only during an NMES session.
Conclusions: NMES combined with rTMS might facilitate, at least in part, the beneficial effects of RFE on motor function and spasticity of the affected upper limb.
Keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; hemiparesis; repetitive facilitative exercise; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; stroke.