Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment of cerebral palsy on potential impairment mechanisms: a pilot study

Pediatric Physical Therapy : the Official Publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
Derek G KamperDeborah J Gaebler-Spira

Abstract

This pilot study examined the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy on upper limb impairment in children with cerebral palsy, specifically addressing spasticity, heightened passive resistance to wrist rotation, coactivation, and weakness. Eight subjects, aged five to 15 years, with spastic hemiparesis subsequent to brain injury, participated in three months of NMES therapy, targeting the wrist flexor and extensor muscles. Maximum voluntary wrist extension range of motion against gravity, spasticity, passive torque, maximum voluntary isometric torque, and coactivation were recorded prior to, during, and at the conclusion of the therapy. Seven of the eight subjects demonstrated a significant (>15 degrees) improvement in wrist extension range of motion against gravity following the NMES treatment, with an average gain of 38 degrees. Differences in spasticity (0.01 +/- 0.14 N-m, p = 0.80) and passive torque (0.03 +/- 0.11 N-m, p = 0.52) were not significant for these subjects. Isometric wrist extension torque, however, did increase significantly (p < 0.01), accompanied by a reduction in flexor coactivation (p < 0.01). Evidence suggests that the NMES treatment protocol affected wrist extension by improving t...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 2, 2015·Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·D NeyroudN Place
Sep 18, 2009·Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology·Daniel R Merrill
Dec 3, 2014·Research in Developmental Disabilities·E A A RameckersR J E M Smeets
Sep 15, 2011·Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation·Kristen M TriandafilouDerek G Kamper
Jun 11, 2016·Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine·Glendaliz BosquesCristina Sadowsky
Mar 7, 2017·Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia·Antonino NaroRocco Salvatore Calabrò
Aug 6, 2010·Clinical Rehabilitation·James H CauraughKenneth G Holt

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