A Pilot Study on Initial Stimulation Parameters for Neuroprosthetic Electrical Stimulation to Enhance Kinesthetic Sensation in Paretic Fingers of Patients with Chronic Hemiplegia

Purpose: To determine whether the optimal frequency of Neuro Prosthetic Functional Electrical Stimulation (NP-FES) to reawaken awareness of paralyzed hand movement for the purpose of disuse prevention in persons with chronic hemiplegia left with a paralyzed limb differs from that in the acute phase. Design: Intervention study. Setting: Japanese nursing home day care and community residents. Participants: Eleven Elderly persons with hemiplegia aged 50-90 years. Interventions: NP-FES applies 70Hz, 120Hz Control: NP-FES applies 35Hz Main Outcome Measures: Interviewing whether the patient was again aware of the movement of the paralyzed hand, wrist extension angle, Body Mass Index, and Pain. Results: Awareness of the movement of the paralyzed hand again was answered positively in nine of the eleven participants. The wrist extension angle was stabilized and less pain was observed in five subjects at 70 Hz and in three subjects at 120 Hz. Conclusions: Initial stimulation parameters for NP-FES to reawaken awareness of paralyzed hand movements in persons with chronic hemiplegia suggested different parameters than in the acute phase.