Functional electrical stimulation and the reduction of co-contraction in spastic biceps brachii

Abstract

This study was undertaken to test the effects of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) training programme on the co-contraction level of spastic hemiparetic patients during a maximal speed forearm extension movement. Twelve males participated in 24 sessions of FES treatments applied to the triceps and biceps of the hemiparetic limb. The pattern of electrical stimulation was adjusted individually, after mathematical modelling of the EMG parameters, obtained at the execution of the task by the nonaffected limb. Pre- and posttest measurements included movement amplitude, time to maximal movement amplitude and peak amplitude of EMG activity in the triceps and biceps. All parameters were modified significantly (p < .01) following FES and the triceps to biceps ratio of EMG activity was also changed (p < .01). The FES treatment induced a reduction in the antagonist co-contraction level associated with spasticity and these findings further support the use of FES for neurological retraining after a cerebrovascular accident.

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