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.
RCT Entities:
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: Ashraf S Gorgey; Mark K Timmons; David R Dolbow; Justin Bengel; Kendall C Fugate-Laus; Lori A Michener; David R Gater Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2016-05-07 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Cristina L Sadowsky; Edward R Hammond; Adam B Strohl; Paul K Commean; Sarah A Eby; Diane L Damiano; Jason R Wingert; Kyongtae T Bae; John W McDonald Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2013-03-20 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Eric Beaumont; Edgar Guevara; Simon Dubeau; Frederic Lesage; Mary Nagai; Milos Popovic Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 1.985