Functional Electrical Stimulation in Stroke Rehabilitation

Description

Citation:

Liu Y, Fu W, Ren Y, Li H & Chen A. (2025). Functional electrical stimulation enhances motor control in stroke rehabilitation. Am J Transl Res. 17(5):3889-3897. doi: 10.62347/THME3127. PMID: 40535619; PMCID: PMC12170401.

Summary of the article

Functional electrical stimulation (FES), a form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, is increasingly applied to improve upper limb motor function in stroke patients. While FES shows promise in enhancing motor function and reducing disability, evidence of its effects on motor control and underlying electrophysiological mechanisms remains limited. A better understanding of how FES interacts with stroke-affected neural pathways is essential to optimise protocols and develop more targeted, effective rehabilitation strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of FES in improving motor control in stroke survivors by examining electrophysiological measures (F-wave latency and amplitude, and H-reflex changes) alongside functional outcomes, including lower limb motor function, walking, balance, mental status, and activities of daily living.