EFFECT OF NEUROMUSCULAR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN HEMIPLEGIC UPPER EXTREMITY REHABILITATION

Introduction: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the efficacy of the combined application of conventional physical therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the shoulder, arm, elbow and wrist of the hemiplegic side in the rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients. Materials and Method: The study group received conventional physical therapy modalities plus neuromuscular electrical stimulation (n=15) whereas the control group received conventional therapy alone (n=15). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was applied to the shoulder, arm, elbow, and wrist of the hemiplegic side. Groups were evaluated by active joint range of motion, the Modified Ashworth Scale, Brunnstrom's upper extremity and hand staging, Visual Analog Scale, and the Barthel index at four time points: before the therapy (T1), after the first week of therapy (T2), at discharge (T3), and two months after discharge (T4). Results: In the study group, significantly better improvements were observed in the active external rotation of the shoulder for the period "before the therapy until the discharge" (p < 0.05), in Modified Ashworth Scale values of the wrist for the period "before the therapy and after the first week of the therapy" (p < 0.05), and in Visual Analog Scale values of the hemiplegic upper extremity for all comparisons (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of conventional physical therapy modalities, with neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the whole upper extremity, seems to be more effective and convenient in hemiplegic upper extremity rehabilitation.