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Randomized, Triple-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke
Published on: June 6, 2025
Functional electrical stimulation for unilateral spatial neglect after stroke: A retrospective cohort study
Chen Li1, Song Ouyang2, Zhiwei Xia3
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, P.R. China.
The Journal of International Medical Research
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) significantly improved outcomes for post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect compared to conventional therapy alone. FES offers a safe and effective rehabilitation option for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Stroke Recovery
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect is a common and disabling condition.
- Conventional rehabilitation offers limited efficacy for unilateral spatial neglect.
- The role of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in treating unilateral spatial neglect is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with conventional rehabilitation for post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect.
- To compare outcomes between patients receiving FES plus conventional therapy and those receiving conventional therapy alone.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort analysis of 58 patients with post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect.
- Patients were divided into two groups: conventional rehabilitation alone (n=28) and FES plus conventional rehabilitation (n=30).
- Outcomes were assessed using the Catherine Bergego Scale, Behavioral Inattention Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity, and Modified Barthel Index.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in all assessed outcome measures (p < 0.05).
- The FES group demonstrated superior improvements in the Behavioral Inattention Test, Catherine Bergego Scale, Modified Barthel Index, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity compared to the conventional therapy group (p < 0.05).
- Functional electrical stimulation was well-tolerated and showed a favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Functional electrical stimulation, when combined with conventional rehabilitation, is an effective intervention for improving outcomes in patients with post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect.
- This study provides real-world evidence supporting the use of FES as an adjunct therapy for unilateral spatial neglect.
- FES represents a promising and safe therapeutic option for enhancing stroke recovery and reducing neglect symptoms.
