Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Applied to Back Extensors in Stroke Patients; Effects on Functional Capacity and Mobility

Specific clinical tools and treatment variables have a key role on the results to be obtained. Therefore, there is a need for well-planned studies on the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on stroke patients. Although NMES is frequently used in patients with stroke, scientific evidence regarding back extensor muscle stimulation, functional capacity, balance and mobility efficiency in this patient group is not sufficient. This study was planned to compare controlled individuals with neurological rehabilitation. According to the definition of World Health Organization (WHO) stroke; It is a rapidly developing clinical condition due to local or general impairment of brain functions, without apparent cause other than vascular causes. In the world, the loss of disability and labor force is known as the first and the second cause of deaths.

Post-stroke intensive care and rehabilitation processes vary between countries. For example, in Australia, $ 2.14 billion is spent each year for the treatment of stroke-diagnosed individuals, while US $ 65 million is spent annually. For these reasons, it is very important to choose low-cost, effective and evidence-based physiotherapy approaches for people with stroke. Hemiparesis, which is characterized by a loss of power on one side of the body, is the most common neurological loss after stroke. Patients with hemiparetic stroke often have impaired balance, mobility and functional capacity. This results in a high economic burden and social problem in this person. Among the functional problems after stroke; impaired balance, abnormal walking pattern with abnormal asymmetry, abnormal body and spinal movement can be shown. The most important problem is the loss of mobility; bed activities include sitting and standing. The most important goal of stroke rehabilitation is the recovery of mobility and balance. Changes in walking pattern and balance abilities occur due to motor control loss, spasticity, muscle weakness, joint motion deficit, abnormal movement patterns and sensory dysfunction. In addition to neurophysiological treatment techniques such as Bobath, conventional exercise programs, Brunnstrom and proprioceptive neuromuscular parasilication, with the aim of improving the quality of movement and maintaining the balance in rehabilitation of stroke-diagnosed patients, electrical stimulation is also used.Although the importance of back extensor muscle strength is documented in the literature, it is observed that studies focusing on back extensor muscle strength in limb rehabilitation are limited.

Control disorders in the posterior extensor muscles after stroke are found to be significantly associated with balance, gait and upper extremity dysfunctions.

Based on this idea, our study was planned to examine the effect of NMEs application on functional capacity, balance and mobility in stroke individuals.