Efeitos agudos da eletroestimulação no membro superior espástico e associação com variáveis respiratórias

Abstract

Introduction: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a valuable resource in the treatment of spastic patterns. Objectives: Evaluate the acute effect of FES on physical and functional variables of the spastic upper limb and its association with respiratory variables. Methods: Nineteen patients received placebo inter - vention (on the sensory threshold) and FES (f=30 Hz, pulse width=0.3 ms, 30 min) in the spastic limb (secondary to stroke) on different days. Before the interven - tions, activities of daily living by the Barthel Index (BI), pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength were evaluated. Before and after the interventions, sensory motor function by Fugl-Meyer Scale (FMS) and movement amplitude were evaluated. Results : FES increased shoulder abduction and internal rotation, elbow extension and FMS. The maximum expiratory pressure was related to BI and shoulder flexion. Conclusions : The application of FES improved physical and functional variables of the spastic limb, which were associated with expira - tory muscle strength.