Comparison of functional electrical stimulation associated with kinesiotherapy and kinesiotherapy alone in patients with hemiparesis during the subacute phase of ischemic cerebrovascular accident.

OBJECTIVE To compare the functional electrical stimulation associated with functional kinesiotherapy alone in patients after ischemic cerebrovascular accident. METHODS The study included 20 patients who were divided into two groups: Group I (GI): functional electrical stimulation plus functional kinesiotherapy and Group II (GII): functional kinesiotherapy. We evaluated active and passive range of motion, in knee flexion and extension muscle strength, activities of daily living and quality of life. The evaluations were conducted in the pretreatment period, after 10 sessions and after 20 physical therapy sessions. RESULTS There was a significant improvement in all variables studied for both groups. However, significant improvements for the sub-items functional capacity and social aspects were seen only in the patients treated with associated functional electrical stimulation and kinesiotherapy. CONCLUSION Although both groups of patients improved with the treatment, the association of functional electrical stimulation and kinesiotherapy showed superiority in two quality of life items, in the sub-items functional capacity and social aspects.