Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Tetraplegia

According to a new study, functional electrical stimulation therapy (FET) has the potential to improve voluntary hand movements in patients with tetraplegia, or paralysis of all limbs, caused by a spinal cord injury.

Functional electrical stimulation therapy uses electrical currents to activate nerves and stimulate movement in paralyzed limbs. The therapy has also been used in combination treatments for cerebral palsy; however, evidence of benefit is currently unclear.

Over the course of eight weeks, 24 tetrapalegic patients were randomly assigned to 40 hours of FET with conventional occupational therapy or conventional occupational therapy alone. Several measurements were taken before and after treatment, including the Functional Independence Measure and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Hand Function Test. These tests assessed each patient's ability to complete tasks and to voluntarily use their hands.

Following treatment, the researchers found that the Functional Independence Measure score improved significantly for patients treated with FET compared to those only treated with conventional occupational therapy. Other measurements, including the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Hand Function Test, improved more in patients treated with FET over conventional occupational therapy alone.

The authors concluded that FET may significantly reduce disability and improve hand functioning for patients with tetraplegia due to a spinal cord injury. Additional research is necessary to confirm these findings.

For more information about electrical stimulation therapy, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

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References
1.Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
2.Popovic MR, Kapadia N, Zivanovic V, et al. Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy of Voluntary Grasping Versus Only Conventional Rehabilitation for Patients With Subacute Incomplete Tetraplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011 Feb 8. View Abstract

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