Objective: To determine whether stroke patients with initial increases in a
rm motor recovery following low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve s
timulation (low TENS) treatment go on to show long-term benefits. Also whet
her the same therapy results in long-term improvements in motor function, s
pasticity or activities of daily living (ADL).
Design: A three-year follow-up study.
Subjects: Twenty-eight stroke patients, who had participated in a randomize
d trial of daily treatment with low-frequency (1.7 Hz) transcutaneous elect
rical nerve stimulation (low TENS) on the paretic arm for three months star
ting 6-12 months after stroke.
Outcomes: Fugl-Meyer Motor Performance Scale for evaluation of changes in a
rm motor function, A 6-point Ashworth Scale to measure spasticity. Barthel
Index to evaluate performance in ADL,
Results: Motor function of the paretic arm had deteriorated in both treatme
nt and control groups. Increased spasticity was seen in both groups. ADL sc
ore remained at a similar level in the low TENS group, whereas the control
group had deteriorated during the same time period.
Conclusions: Low TENS stimulation started 6-12 months after stroke may not
have a specific effect on arm motor function years after completion of trea
tment.