Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Lower Limb Hemiplegic Patients following Chronic Stroke: A Systematic Review

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2018
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Zhongqiu Hong, Minghong Sui, Zhiqiang Zhuang, Huihua Liu, Xiuyuan Zheng, Chuanping Cai, Dongmei Jin
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with or without other interventions in improving lower limb activity after chronic stroke.Data SourceElectronic databases including PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) and PsycINFO were searched from the inception to January, 2017.Study SelectionWe selected the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving chronic stroke survivors with lower limb dysfunction and comparing NMES or combined with other interventions with control of no electrical-stimulated treatment.Data ExtractionThe primary outcome was defined as lower limb motor function, and the secondary outcomes included gait speed, Berg Balance scale, Timed Up and Go, Six-Minute Walk Test, Modified Ashworth Scale and Range of Motion .Data SynthesisTwenty-one RCTs involving 1,481 participants were identified from 5,759 retrieved articles. Pooled analysis showed that NMES had a moderate but statistically significant benefits on lower limb motor function (SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.58), especially when NMES combined with other interventions or treatment time within either 6 or 12 weeks. NMES also had significant benefits on gait speed, balance, spasticity and range of motion but had no significant difference in walking endurance after NMES.ConclusionNMES combined with or without other interventions has beneficial effects in lower limb motor function in chronic stroke survivors. These data suggest that NMES should be a promising therapy to apply in chronic stroke rehabilitation to improve the capability of lower extremity in performing activities.



http://ift.tt/2DNnaq2