Abstract
Stroke leads to significant impairment in upper limb (UL) function. The goal of rehabilitation is the reestablishment of pre-stroke motor stroke skills by stimulating neuroplasticity. Among several rehabilitation approaches, functional electrical stimulation (FES) is highlighted in stroke rehabilitation guidelines as a supplementary therapy alongside the standard care modalities. The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive review regarding the usability of FES in post-stroke UL rehabilitation. Specifically, the factors related to UL rehabilitation that should be considered in FES usability, as well a critical review of the outcomes used to assess FES usability, are presented. This review reinforces the FES as a promising tool to induce neuroplastic modifications in post-stroke rehabilitation by enabling the possibility of delivering intensive periods of treatment with comparatively less demand on human resources. However, the lack of studies evaluating FES usability through motor control outcomes, specifically movement quality indicators, combined with user satisfaction limits the definition of FES optimal therapeutical window for different UL functional tasks. FES systems capable of integrating postural control muscles involving other anatomic regions, such as the trunk, during reaching tasks are required to improve UL function in post-stroke patients.
Highlights
Stroke is the major cause of disability [1,2]
The main deficits were described for the contralesional limb, more recent studies have described postural control deficits in the ipsilesional limb [7,8,9], which were demonstrated to interfere in the rehabilitation of contralesional upper limb (UL) function [7]
The functional electrical stimulation (FES), combining electrical stimulation with the performance of functional tasks [18], could be a strategy to extend the UL rehabilitation beyond health care units such as the home setting or other environments selected by the user [19,20]
Summary
Stroke is the major cause of disability [1,2]. It was estimated that after stroke, 70%. Previous systematic reviews (FES), with combining meta-analysis have demonstrated positiveof electrical stimulation electrical stimulation with the the performance functional tasks [18], could be a strategy to extend the UL rehabilitation beyond care effects of FES on ADL outcomes [19,20,22] This modality was even recommendedhealth by the units such as the home setting or other environments selected by the user [19,20]. The evidence demonstrates that post-stroke subjects with lesions in the middle cerebral territory present impairments in the ipsilesional side, mainly related to postural control, which are even more important to this adaptation [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call