J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2006 Mar;10(1):36-42.

Electromyographically Triggered Electrical Stimulation on Shoulder Subluxation in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients

• Yang CY
• Joo MC
• Kil EY
• Kim HS
• Shin YI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of electromyographically triggered electrical stimulation (ETES) on shoulder subluxation in stroke patients. METHOD: Twenty-three patients, who had hemiplegic shoulder subluxation within 3 months after stroke attack, were included. They were assigned randomly to either a control group (11 subjects) or a study group (12 subjects), and divided clinically to mild and severe subgroups by the degree in subluxation. Patients in both groups were received physical therapy and used an arm-sling. Subjects in the study group were taken ETES using biofeedback training on posterior deltoid and the supraspinatus muscle of hemiplegic subluxation side, daily 30 minutes a session, five days a week for 6 weeks. Electromyographic signals, which are derived from patient's voluntary muscle contraction, that exceeded a preset threshold trigger an immediate stimulation to force movement completion. The effect of ETES was assessed by the degree of subluxation using radiologic measurements at pre-treatment and 6 weeks post-treatment.
RESULTS
In the control group, the degree of subluxation was increased after 6 weeks (p>0.05). In the study group, the subluxation was significantly reduced (p<0.05). The significant difference after treatment 6 weeks in mild and severe subgroups implied similar improvement between subgroups.
CONCLUSION
The ETES may be the one of effective treatment methods for reducing the severity of hemiplegic shoulder subluxation in stroke patients.

Keyword

Electromyographically triggered; Shoulder; Subluxation; Hemiplegia; Biofeedback training

MeSH Terms

Biofeedback, Psychology
Electric Stimulation*
Hemiplegia
Humans
Muscle, Skeletal
Shoulder*
Stroke*