Functional recovery of the upper extremity dysfunction (UED) in nonprogressive upper motor neuron (UMN) disease depends on the neurologic recovery in large proportion. The electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) biofeedback therapy was tried to 14 patients having above conditions as a new trial and applied to three extensor muscles in the forearm for 6 weeks in this preliminary study. Basic condition to apply the EMS therapy is the intact motor unit from the anterior horn cells to muscle fibers and clear mentation. Expeced effects of the EMS biofeedback therapy are 1) muscle strengthening by evoking the passive muscle contraction, 2) reeducation by the curaneous (electric) and visual (joing motion) stimulation, 3) amplification of the weak voluntary contractility, 4) activation of the masked muscle activity, 5) decreased spasticity by the EST effect, 6) decreased energy consumption used for isolated muscle contraction (easy contraction of the wanted muscles) in synergistic mass contraction state.
This modality was effective in 10 (71.4%) to 14 patients. Response of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential. Brunnstrom stage and the extensive motion of the finger when initiated the therapy are related to its results. Contractility of the extensor muscles and hand function (pinch power, coordination, etc) are not related to them because of the associated factors such as the spasticity, synergy and poor neurologic recovery, etc.
