J Korean Phys Ther.  2017 Aug;29(4):164-168. 10.18857/jkpt.2017.29.4.164.

The Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Combined with Action Observation on Sensorimotor Cortex

• Kim JY
• Park JW
• Kim SY

• KMID: 2394657
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2017.29.4.164

Abstract

PURPOSE
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a device that activates the sensorimotor cortex through electrodes attached to the surface of the skin. However, it is difficult to expect positive changes if the recipient is not attentive to the motion. To complement the perceived cognitive limitations of FES, we attempted to investigate the changes of sensorimotor cortex activity by simultaneously providing action observation with FES.
METHODS
Electroencephalogram was measured in 28 healthy volunteers. Relative band power over the sensorimotor cortex was analyzed and compared in three conditions: during rest, during FES alone, during action observation with FES.
RESULTS
The results showed significant differences in each relative band power. Relative alpha power and relative beta power were the lowest by application of FES combined with action observation, while the relative gamma power was the highest.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that combining FES with observation could be more effective than FES alone in neurorehabilitation.

Keyword

Functional electrical stimulation; Action observation; Electroencephalography; Relative band power

MeSH Terms

Complement System Proteins
Electric Stimulation*
Electrodes
Electroencephalography
Healthy Volunteers
Neurological Rehabilitation
Sensorimotor Cortex*
Skin
Complement System Proteins