Pilot Study of Associative Peripheral Stimulation to Improve Arm Movement After Recent Stroke

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to assess Associative Peripheral Stimulation APS, a non-invasive therapy combining electrical muscle stimulation with voluntary movement, for helping people recover upper limb function during the acute phase after a stroke. The focus is on reducing motor impairment in patients who have recently experienced ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and are showing weakness or paralysis in their upper extremity. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving APS paired with rehabilitative exercises, and a control group receiving random peripheral stimulation paired with similar exercises. The study is conducted under triple masking to ensure unbiased results and compares outcomes over a 5-week and 3-month period. Throughout the study, participants undergo assessments including measurements of upper limb range of motion and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity function. Additional evaluations such as the Action Research Arm Test are also used. The study tracks progress at 5 weeks and 3 months to monitor motor recovery and function improvement, aiming to provide insight into APSs potential role in stroke rehabilitation.

Associative Peripheral Stimulation for Reduction of Motor Impairment During Acute Period of Stroke Recovery