STIMULATION WITH LOW-FREQUENCY (1.7HZ) TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRIC NERVE-STIMULATION (LOW-TENS) INCREASES MOTOR FUNCTION OF THE POSTSTROKE PARETIC ARM

The object of this study is to determine if the functional motor capac ity of the paretic extremity can be improved by stimulation with low i ntensity low frequency (1.7Hz) transcutaneous electric nerve stimulati on (Low-TENS), started 6-12 months after a stroke. Forty-four patients who had a paretic arm as a consequence of their first stroke were inc luded and randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n = 26) or a control group (n = 18), Patients in both groups received physiotherapy at a day-care center, usually twice a week. The treatment group recei ved, in addition, Low-TENS for 60 min, five days a week for three mont hs. Results showed that motor function increased significantly in the treatment group, compared to controls. The Low-TENS did not decrease e ither pain or spasticity. It is concluded that stimulation by means of Low-TENS could be a valuable complement to the usual training of arm and hand function in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.