Improved upper extremity function following low-frequency hybrid assistive neuromuscular dynamic stimulation therapy...

Although hybrid assistive neuromuscular dynamic stimulation (HANDS) therapy may improve upper extremity functionality in patients with paralysis or paresis due to stroke, it is usually only provided in hospitals as a frequent intervention during the phase of early recovery in stroke. Home-based rehabilitation is limited by frequency and duration of visits.

To investigate the effectiveness of low-frequency HANDS therapy using motor function assessment.

Case report.

We performed HANDS therapy for 1 month on the patient, who was a woman in her 70s with left-sided hemiplegia. It was initiated on day 183 post the onset of stroke. Movement and motor function were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment upper-extremity (FMA-UE) motor items and the Motor Activity Log consisting of Amount of Use (MAL-AOU), as well as Quality of Movement (MAL-QOM) scales. This evaluation was performed before starting HANDS therapy and after its conclusion.

Following HANDS therapy, there was improvement in the FMA-UE (21 points → 28 points), MAL-AOU (0.17 points → 0.33 points), and MAL-QOM (0.08 points → 0.33 points) scores when compared to the scores before therapy, and the patient was able to use both hands for activities of daily living (ADLs).

Low-frequency HANDS therapy combined with encouragement to include the affected hand in ADLs may improve upper extremity function in cases of paralysis.