Effectiveness and Safety of Home-Based Muscle Electrical Stimulator in Brachial Plexus Injury Patients
Roongsak Limthongthang MD*, Phanumas Muennoi MD*, Rienporn Phoojaroenchanachai PT*, Torpon Vathana MD*, Saichol Wongtrakul MD*, Panupan Songcharoen MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of home-based muscle electrical stimulation system in brachial plexus
injury patients.
Material and Method: Forty brachial plexus injury patients underwent muscle electrical stimulation using a custom designed
electrical stimulator. Effectiveness of the system, visual analog pain score, skin temperature, superficial skin condition,
overall patient satisfaction, and location of treatment preference were evaluated after the intervention. A follow-up telephone
call was used to evaluate late-onset complications.
Results : Thirty-three men and seven women with an average age of 32 years were enrolled in the present study. According to
our predefined definitions, 39 of 40 stimulation sessions were successfully completed, which resulted in a total system
effectiveness of 97.5%. All patients tolerated the stimulation well. The average visual analog pain score was significantly
decreased from 4 to 3 after the stimulation. There were no adverse incidents reported. The average patient satisfaction score
was 7.8 out of 10. Thirty-five of 40 patients (88%) preferred to use home-based electrical stimulation vs. hospital-based
treatment.
Conclusion : The custom designed muscle electrical stimulator used in this study has demonstrated adequate effectiveness
and safety for clinical home use for brachial plexus injury patients.
Keywords : Brachial plexus injury, Muscle electrical stimulation, Physical therapy
