Restoring voluntary grasping function in individuals with incomplete chronic spinal cord injury: pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy has been shown to be one of the most promising approaches for improving voluntary grasping function in individuals with subacute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of FES therapy, as compared to conventional occupational therapy (COT), in improving voluntary hand function in individuals with chronic (≥24 months post injury), incomplete (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] B-D), C4 to C7 SCI.

Methods

Eight participants were randomized to the intervention group (FES therapy; n = 5) or the control group (COT; n = 3). Both groups received 39 hours of therapy over 13 to 16 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-Hand

SUBMITTER: Kapadia N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3816722 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature