Efficacy of the combined use of electrical stimulation and low-intensity laser therapy in patients with acute-stage stroke

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the combined use of electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy in stage II of medical rehabilitation, during the acute phase of ischemic stroke. Materials and methods. The study included 123 patients after acute ischemic stroke who were at the second stage of medical rehabilitation. Patients were divided into 4 groups (main, control, comparison group 1, and comparison group 2), which underwent a standard medical rehabilitation program, including individual sessions with an instructor in therapeutic exercise, mechanotherapy, and massage. The main group additionally underwent a complex of electrical stimulation and low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) lasting 30 minutes each, a course of 16 sessions. Comparison group 1 additionally received LILT monotherapy, while comparison group 2 received electrical stimulation monotherapy with the same parameters as in the main group. The dynamics of muscle strength in the affected limbs were assessed using a six-point scale, as well as an assessment using the Rivermead, Rankin, and Fugl-Meyer scales, as well as the dynamics of rehabilitation potential and an assessment of the psychological state using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results. As a result of the 20-day rehabilitation course, statistically significant improvement was observed in the Rivermead and Fugl-Meyer scale scores in the main group – 3.0 (3.0–4.0) and 5.0 (4.0–8.0) scores (p < 0.001), respectively, and comparison group 1 – 3.0 (2.0–4.0) and 4.0 (2.0–6.0) scores (p < 0.001), respectively. There was also a significant improvement in the scores on the six-point muscle strength scale in the affected limbs in the main group up to 2.0 scores (p < 0.05) and comparison group 1 up to 2.0 scores (p < 0.05). Moreover, the rehabilitation prognosis improved based on the rehabilitation results in the main group (in 19.4% of patients) (p < 0.001) and in comparison group 1 (in 12.9% of patients) (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Supplementing the standard rehabilitation program for patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke with the use of electrical nerve stimulation and LILT at stage II of medical rehabilitation significantly improved the functional status of patients.