Functional electrical stimulation therapy of voluntary grasping versus only conventional rehabilitation for patients with subacute incomplete tetraplegia: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Functional electrical stimulation therapy (FET) has a potential to improve voluntary grasping among individuals with tetraplegia secondary to traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

OBJECTIVE:

This single-site, randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of 40 hours of FET with conventional occupational therapy (COT) compared with COT alone to improve grasping.

METHODS:

Twenty-four subjects with subacute traumatic incomplete SCI (C4-C7, AIS B-D) consented to participate in 40 hours of therapy over 8 weeks, beyond the conventional rehabilitation program. Subjects were randomized to receive FET + COT (n = 9) or COT (n = 12). The key outcomes were changes in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) self-care subscores, Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) self-care subscores, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Hand Function Test (TRI-HFT) performed at baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS:

At the end of the treatments, the change in mean FIM self-care subscore for the FET + COT group was 20.1 versus 10 (P = .015) for the COT group. Subjects randomized to FET + COT also had greater improvements in the SCIM and TRI-HFT. No longer term follow-up was feasible.

CONCLUSION:

FET significantly reduced disability and improved voluntary grasping beyond the effects of considerable conventional upper extremity therapy in individuals with tetraplegia.

• Authors: Milos R Popovic, Naaz Kapadia, Vera Zivanovic, Julio C Furlan, B Cathy Craven, Colleen McGillivray
• Journal: Neurorehabilitation and neural repair (Neurorehabil Neural Repair) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 433-42 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1552-6844 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21304020 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Disability Evaluation
• Electric Stimulation Therapy
• Female
• Hand Strength
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Therapy
• Quadriplegia (etiology, physiopathology, rehabilitation)
• Spinal Cord Injuries (complications)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult