Repetitive facilitative exercise synchronized with transcranial magnetic stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation on functional recovery of hemiplegic upper limb

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25350605
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Etoh Seiji 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域医学系, 講師 (70295244)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 促通反復療法 / 経頭蓋磁気刺激 / 神経筋電気刺激 / 脳卒中 / リハビリテーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is to investigate whether multiple sessions of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and repetitive facilitative exercise (RFE) facilitated the recovery of hemiplegic upper-limb function in chronic stroke patients. The repetitive TMS (rTMS) was applied over the motor cortex of the unaffected hemisphere at a frequency of 1 Hz before RFE. NMES was delivered to stimulate the target muscle of the affected upper limb using a portable surface neuromuscular stimulator. The surface electrodes were arranged over the wrist extensors or extensor digitorum communis. Motor function of hemiplegic upper limb improved after rTMS, NMES and RFE. RFE synchronized TMS was also effective for recovery of upper limb function. These results indicate that combination of central nerve stimulation (TMS) and peripheral stimulation (NMES, RFE) may be effective for functional recovery of hemiplegic upper limb in stroke patients.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション医学