Effect of biofeedback accompanying occupational therapy and functional electrical stimulation in hemiplegic patients

The objective of this study was to determine the effect that electromyographic biofeedback (EMG-BFB), used in conjunction with occupational therapy (OT) and functional electrical stimulation (FES), has on spasticity, range of motion, and upper extremity function in hemiplegic patients. A total of 59 patients treated at a university-based rehabilitation centre were studied. Of those 59 patients, 31 received twice-weekly sessions of OT+FES, together with weekly sessions of EMG-BFB, and 28 received only the twice-weekly sessions of OT+FES. The patients were evaluated at baseline, at 6 months, and at 12 months, using the hand function test, the Minnesota manual dexterity test, the joint range of motion scale, and the modified Ashworth scale. At 6 months, the patients receiving EMG-BFB presented significantly greater improvement in upper extremity function than those receiving only OT+FES. Incorporating EMG-BFB into the treatment regimen had a positive effect on the range of motion and on the recovery of upper extremity function in hemiplegic patients. Biofeedback training might represent an important therapeutic tool for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.