Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Conjunction with Motor Relearning Program on Quality of Life Following Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Stroke is one of the prominent causes of long-term impairment worldwide, often affecting impaired motor function and reduced quality of life (QoL). Objective: The objective was to assess impact of the effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in conjunction with Motor Relearning Program (MRP) on the quality of life (QOL) in patients recovering from ischemic stroke. Method: A randomized controlled experiment trial was conducted involving 60 post-ischemic stroke patients. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups, Group A received FES in conjunction with MRP, while Group B received only MRP. Treatment was administered five days a week for eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Barthel Index (BI), documented at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Both groups showed substantial enhancement in QoL, motor function, and daily living activities. However, Group- A demonstrated significantly greater improvements in SS-QOL, FMA and BI scores when compared to Group B. Conclusion: This study results were in favor of addition of FES to MRP approach, which helps in achieving superior improvements in quality of life and functional outcomes. Key words: Functional Electrical Stimulation, Motor Relearning Program, Ischemic Stroke, Quality of Life, Rehabilitation