The Effectiveness of High Intensity Electromagnetic Stimulation in Spastic Stroke Patients

Abstract

In stroke patients, spasticity level allows to predict the patient’s rehabilitation outcome. Objective: To evaluate the anti-spastic effectiveness of high intensity electromagnetic stimulation (HIES) in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty (n=20) spastic stroke patients were assigned randomly into two groups; the study participants were briefed about the aim & methodology of the study & written consent were taken. Ten therapy sessions were given to the stroke’s patient spastic muscles in the treatment group (TG) with HIES, while in the controlled group (CG) 10 electrotherapy session along with kinesiotherapy was delivered. The outcome measures of the study were MAS (Modified Ashworth scale) & Barthel index (BI) was used as, for spasticity and for the patient’s quality life evaluation, respectively. After the one-month therapeutic plan results were obtained & compared based on the pre-treatment score & post-treatment score on the afore-mentioned specified outcome measures. Results: The analysis of data shows that treatment group score improved significantly, up to 68% & similarly, spasticity decreased from 2.86±0.075 in the beginning to 0.58±0.86 points on MAS, while on the other hand, control group score up to 31% enhanced & on the MAS scale, spasticity diminished from 2.45±0.57 in the start to 1.49±0.87 points. As per Barthel index, improvement for CG & TG was 72% & 80% respectively. Conclusions: This study results shows that high intensity electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) is highly effective in the reduction of stroke-specific spasticity.