This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Thorsen R, Cortesi M, Jonsdottir J, Carpinella I, Morelli D, Casiraghi A, Puglia M, Diverio M, Ferrarin M. Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123JSP

Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase

motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized

controlled pilot studyRune Thorsen, PhD, MScee; M. Cortesi, PT; J. Jonsdottir, PhD;

I. Carpinella, MSc; D. Morelli, MD; A. Casiraghi, MD; M. Puglia; M. Diverio, MD; M. Ferrarin, PhD, DrEng

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Thorsen R, Cortesi M, Jonsdottir J, Carpinella I, Morelli D, Casiraghi A, Puglia M, Diverio M, Ferrarin M. Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123JSP

• Aim– Assess feasibility and effectiveness of myoelectrically

controlled functional electrical stimulation (MeCFES) for poststroke rehabilitation of upper limb.

• Relevance– Most subjects experiencing cerebrovascular accident

will have reduced upper-limb function.– In stroke rehabilitation, therapist may work on

residual movements.

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Thorsen R, Cortesi M, Jonsdottir J, Carpinella I, Morelli D, Casiraghi A, Puglia M, Diverio M, Ferrarin M. Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123JSP

Method

• 11 poststroke hemiparetic subjects with residual proximal arm control but impaired volitional opening of paretic hand.– Experimental group• MeCFES: Myoelectric activity from wrist and finger

extensors controlled stimulation of same muscles.• 3-5 treatments sessions/week (25 sessions total).

– Control group

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Thorsen R, Cortesi M, Jonsdottir J, Carpinella I, Morelli D, Casiraghi A, Puglia M, Diverio M, Ferrarin M. Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123JSP

Results

• Experimental group:– Significant and clinically important improvement in

Action Research Arm Test score, confirmed by Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment self-evaluation score.

– Improvement maintained at follow-up.

• Control group:– No significant improvement.

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Thorsen R, Cortesi M, Jonsdottir J, Carpinella I, Morelli D, Casiraghi A, Puglia M, Diverio M, Ferrarin M. Myoelectrically driven functional electrical stimulation may increase motor recovery of upper limb in poststroke subjects: A randomized controlled pilot study. J Rehabil Res Dev. 50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.07.0123JSP

Conclusion

• Reduced sample size, together with confounding factors (e.g., spontaneous recovery) calls for larger studies to draw definite conclusions.

• However, large and persistent treatment effects indicate that MeCFES could be important clinical tool for stroke rehabilitation.