The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the prevention of muscle atrophy by implementing ES in acute stroke patients is effective on their PF and ADL six months or more after the onset of the condition.
This study was conducted as a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial.
The inclusion criteria were stroke patients aged 65 years or older who were admitted to an acute care ward between January 30, 2022 and January 30, 2024.A total of 183 subjects met the inclusion criteria.
For lower limb muscle atrophy, muscle thickness (QMT) of the quadriceps of the affected and unaffected sides were measured using a B-mode ultrasound imaging device (SONON 300L). PF and ADL were evaluated for Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), respectively.
All outcomes were assessed at admission and discharge to the acute care ward, 6 months and 1 year after stroke onset.
The ES group performed NMES (5 days/week for 2 weeks, symmetric biphasic current 100 Hz, pulse width 1 msec, 30 min/day, duty cycle 10 sec on/20 sec off, intensity: 20-40 mA)
The ES group was divided into two groups: one in which muscle atrophy was prevented during hospitalization in the acute care ward (ESP) and one in which it was not prevented (ESNP).
Statistical analysis was performed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with the Bonferroni test used for post-hoc testing (ESP vs ESNP vs control group).
Statistical significance was accepted as p0.05.
In this study, 104 subjects were ultimately able to be followed up (emsp (n=29), emsnp (n=16), control group (n=59)).
The ESP group showed less decline in QMT 6 months and 1 year after onset than the ESNP and control groups, and their SPPB and FIM were also significantly higher (p0.01). The ESNP group showed less decline in QMT 6 months and 1 year after onset than the control groups, and their SPPB and FIM were also significantly higher (p0.05).
The results of this study suggest that preventing muscle atrophy using ES during the acute phase of stroke slows the progression of muscle atrophy one year after onset, and also maintains and improves PF and ADL.
We explained the content of the research to the participants or their families verbally and in writing and obtained written consent. This survey conforms to the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki.
acute stroke
Electical muscle stimulation
