Electrical Stimulation for Stroke Patients

 Electrical Stimulation for Stroke Patients 

Since 2004, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has become more common (Functional). FES is most commonly used in stroke rehabilitation (Functional). This form of stimulation for stroke patients has been found to be extremely beneficial and is mainly used to improve/refine motor skills (Pan). 

The brain will use electrical and chemical signals to tell your muscles when and how to move. When people suffer from a stroke, their brains no longer have this communicatory ability. In many instances, it is extremely difficult to move affected muscles. Electrical stimulation (ES) is a non-invasive stimulation technique. Non-invasive electrodes are placed onto a patient's skin, and once activated, these electrodes send pulses to muscles causing them to contract (Electrical). 

Intense stimulation can be used to activate the damaged regions of the brain in someone who has suffered a stroke. This stimulation has been found to increase neuroplasticity, initiating regrowth and rewiring of the damaged brain region (Electrical). This method has been found to speed up recovery time in patients. Electrodes can be used on all parts of the body to benefit movement and motor control (Electrical). 

ES in stroke patients works in active form (Electrical). This means that when patients are administered a pulse, they should actively try to move the targeted muscle while it is being stimulated. This method is used to further the engagement between the patient’s brain and muscle. In turn, this engagement has been shown to increase the amount of motor control that is gained back (Electrical). 

Exercising without ES can also increase neuroplasticity activation, and help stroke patients regain motor control (Functional). However, doing so with ES involved maximizes efforts and is much more effective at obtaining positive results (Functional). 

In the article, Effects of 8-week sensory electrical stimulation combined with motor training on EEG-EMG coherence and motor function in individuals with stroke, the effects of peripheral ES treatment on stroke patients was studied. Participants of the trial have had a stroke in the past, do not have any medical conditions that interfere with ES and are participating in hand functioning training exercise sessions. To quantify the results of the trial, ES was performed on stroke patients 8 weeks prior to their hand functioning training sessions. ES was found to significantly help improve the motor function of individuals that had suffered from a chronic stroke (Pan). In this trial 12 subjects were randomly assigned to undergo ES treatment and to undergo placebo. The placebo group was considered to be the control group. The placebo was a fake ES treatment that lasted 40 minutes each time. Data was collected through electroencephalography- electromyography and Fugl-Meyer Assessments, four separate times during the trial (Pan). Significant evidence was found in support of ES as a treatment for the motor deficits of a stroke. 

ES has been found to benefit post-stroke paralysis, muscle weakness, spasticity, walking, shoulder subluxation, edema and issues with swallowing. Although ES has many positive effects when used on stroke patients, it is not intended for every stroke patient. Patients that have any sort of electrical device previously implanted (for example a pacemaker), it is dangerous to perform ES treatments. If the ES is causing muscle tears, skin irritations or burns on the skin, therapists should be consulted immediately. 

Ultimately, it is the patient’s responsibility to decide what they are comfortable with. ES is a fantastic option for those that meet the qualifications. 

References 

Bao, Shi-Chun, et al. “Rewiring the Lesioned Brain: Electrical Stimulation for Post-Stroke Motor Restoration.” Journal of Stroke, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7005350/.

“Electrical Stimulation for Stroke Patients: How It Works.” Flint Rehab, 2 Nov. 2021, https://www.flintrehab.com/electrical-stimulation-for-stroke-patients/.

“Functional Electrical Stimulation.” Www.stroke.org, https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/physical-effects-of-stroke/physical-impact/functional-electrical-stimulation

Pan, L.-L. H., Yang, W.-W., Kao, C.-L., Tsai, M.-W., Wei, S.-H., Fregni, F., Chen, V. C.-F., & Chou, L.-W. (2018, June 15). Effects of 8-week sensory electrical stimulation combined with motor training on EEG-EMG coherence and motor function in individuals with stroke. Nature News. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-27553-4