Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
The Effect of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation on Shoulder Biomechanics: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Comparison to
Richard D Wilson1, Jayme S Knutson, Maria E Bennett
1From the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (RDW, JSK, JC); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (RDW, JSK, JC); Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center, Cleveland, Ohio (RDW, JSK, JC); Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (JC); and SPR Therapeutics, LLC, Cleveland, Ohio (MEB).
Objective:
To establish the effects on shoulder biomechanics from a peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) treatment compared to physical therapy (PT) in stroke survivors with chronic hemiplegic shoulder pain.
Design:
Single-site, pilot, randomized controlled trial for adults with chronic shoulder pain after stroke. Participants were randomized to receive a 3-week treatment of single-lead PNS or physical therapy (PT). The outcomes included isometric shoulder abduction strength, pain-free shoulder external rotation range of motion (ROM), delay in initiation and termination of shoulder abduction electromyogram (EMG) activity, and the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (upper extremity section). Outcomes were measured at baseline, and at weeks 1, 4, 12, and 16.
Results:
Twenty-five participants were recruited, 13 to PNS and 12 to PT. There were significant improvements for both PNS and PT in maximum isometric shoulder abduction strength, pain-free external rotation ROM, and Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment. There were no significant changes in delay of initiation or termination of deltoid EMG with either treatment.
Conclusions:
Both PNS and PT are capable of improving shoulder biomechanics in those with HSP, though changes in biomechanics alone do not account for the greater pain relief associated with PNS than PT.
