Hybrid Assistive Neuromuscular Dynamic Stimulation Therapy: A New Strategy for Improving Upper Extremity Function in Patients with Hemiparesis following Stroke

Neural Plast. 2017:2017:2350137. doi: 10.1155/2017/2350137. Epub 2017 Jan 16.

Abstract

Hybrid Assistive Neuromuscular Dynamic Stimulation (HANDS) therapy is one of the neurorehabilitation therapeutic approaches that facilitates the use of the paretic upper extremity (UE) in daily life by combining closed-loop electromyography- (EMG-) controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with a wrist-hand splint. This closed-loop EMG-controlled NMES can change its stimulation intensity in direct proportion to the changes in voluntary generated EMG amplitudes recorded with surface electrodes placed on the target muscle. The stimulation was applied to the paretic finger extensors. Patients wore a wrist-hand splint and carried a portable stimulator in an arm holder for 8 hours during the daytime. The system was active for 8 hours, and patients were instructed to use their paretic hand as much as possible. HANDS therapy was conducted for 3 weeks. The patients were also instructed to practice bimanual activities in their daily lives. Paretic upper extremity motor function improved after 3 weeks of HANDS therapy. Functional improvement of upper extremity motor function and spasticity with HANDS therapy is based on the disinhibition of the affected hemisphere and modulation of reciprocal inhibition. HANDS therapy may offer a promising option for the management of the paretic UE in patients with stroke.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electromyography / instrumentation
  • Electromyography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neurological Rehabilitation / instrumentation
  • Neurological Rehabilitation / methods
  • Paresis / etiology
  • Paresis / physiopathology
  • Paresis / rehabilitation*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / instrumentation
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / instrumentation
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / methods*
  • Stroke* / complications
  • Stroke* / physiopathology
  • Upper Extremity / innervation
  • Upper Extremity / physiology*