ABSTRACT

Objective : We investigated the clinical effects of dermatomal electric stimulation on reducing spasticity in hemiplegic patients on hand function.Methods : Eleven hemiplegic patients(nine male, two female), who had suffered strokes more than 6 months earlier, participated in the study. Electric stimulation of the finger flexors’ dermatome(C8) was carried out for one 20-minute session using low intensity transcutaneous nerve stimulation(TENS) at an impulse frequency of 100 Hz. We tested the hand function through the Box and Block test and electromyographic(EMG) activity was recorded during isometric finger extension under three conditions(before, during, and after stimulation). The data were analyzed using repeated one-way ANOVA.Results : The results showed that the Box and Block test changed significantly(p<0.05), but co-contraction ratio of the finger flexor and extensor did not change significantly(p>0.05).Conclusion : Dermatomal electric stimulation was effective to improve hand function. The results of this study suggest that dermatomal electric stimulation can be combined with functional tasks that are closely to the activities of daily living for the rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients.