Article

Mirror therapy (MT) and electromyography-triggered neuromuscular
stimulation (ETMS) are both effective treatments for impaired upper limbs
following stroke. A combination of these two treatments
(ETMS-MT) may result in
greater gain than either treatment alone. OBJECTIVES: The feasibility and
possible effects of ETMS-MT upon upper extremity function were investigated in
stroke patients. METHODS: Thirteen post-acute stroke patients were randomly
assigned to an immediate ETMS-MT group or a delayed ETMS-MT group and then
underwent an 8-week training program. The immediate ETMS-MT group received
ETMS-MT in addition to physical and occupational therapy (PT+OT) for 4 weeks.
They then received only PT+OT for the next 4 weeks. In the delayed ETMS-MT group,
interventions were provided in the reverse order. The main outcome measure was
the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). RESULTS: The immediate ETMS-MT group showed
significantly greater gain in FMA in the first 4 weeks. The delayed ETMS-MT group
showed significantly greater gain in active range of motion during the latter 4
weeks. No adverse effects were reported following ETMS-MT. CONCLUSION: ETMS-MT
might be as effective as independent MT or ETMS without causing any side effects.
Future research should focus upon the direct comparisons between independent and
combined interventions.

Langue : ANGLAIS