Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38132027›Full record

ArticleHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2023

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Spasticity and Walking Performance among Individuals with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Sattam M Almutairi, Mohamed E Khalil, Nadiah Almutairi, Saud M Alsaadoon, Dalal S Alharbi, Sultan D Al Assadi, Salem F Alghamdi, Sahar N Albattah, Aqeel M Alenazi

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Functional Electrical Stimulation and Stroke Rehabilitation Research: The Critical Role of Sham Control Groups.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Sattam M AlmutairiDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-2282-7127
Mohamed E KhalilDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia.
Nadiah AlmutairiKing Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah 52366, Saudi Arabia.
Saud M AlsaadoonDepartment of Rehabilitation Services and Programs, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh 13571, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0000-8919-4523
Dalal S AlharbiDepartment of Rehabilitation Services and Programs, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh 13571, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-6427-6602
Sultan D Al AssadiDepartment of Rehabilitation Services and Programs, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh 13571, Saudi Arabia.
Salem F AlghamdiDepartment of Rehabilitation Services and Programs, Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh 13571, Saudi Arabia.
Sahar N AlbattahDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0001-4524-3343
Aqeel M AlenaziDepartment of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

Qassim University 10126-fcohsb-2020-1-3-I
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStroke and its associated complications are a major cause of long-term disability worldwide, with spasticity being a common and severe issue. Physical therapy, involving stretching exercises and electrical stimulation, is crucial for managing spasticity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with a conventional rehabilitation program (CRP) on plantarflexor muscle spasticity and walking performance among individuals with chronic stroke.

methodsA pilot randomized clinical trial (RCT) with two groups (active NMES and placebo) was conducted at the physical therapy departments of King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraydah, and Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (November 2020). The assessor and participants were blinded for the group assignment. The active NMES group received exercise and stimulation at the dorsiflexor muscles on the paretic leg for 30 min for 12 sessions. The placebo group received exercise and sham stimulation at the same position and duration as the active group. Of interest were the outcomes for plantarflexor muscle spasticity measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), gait speed measured by 10 m walk test (10-MWT), and functional mobility measured by functional ambulatory category (FAC).

resultsNineteen participants were randomized into active NMES (

conclusionsThis study showed that NMES in the active group led to significant improvements in spasticity, walking performance, and functional ambulation. Further research is needed to determine the ideal parameters, protocols, and patient selection criteria for NMES interventions in stroke rehabilitation.

Indexed as

cerebrovascular accidentelectrotherapyspasticstroke

Identifiers

PMID38132027
PMCPMC10742606

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.