Objective : This study is executed to test research on how to apply functionally electric stimulation therapy
for improving upper extremity of domestic patients. We performed systematic consideration for
it.
Methods : From January in 2000 to April in 2013, we had been searching for essays posted on
academic thesises and journals through Korea National Research Information and using many
main key-words such as functional electrical stimulation therapy, FES, stroke.
Researchs : There were in total the sixty subjects in each of two trials among which had been
investigated and their each group had approximately more than twenty subjects and else had
less than twenty, which did not present high level of reason. There was no randomized trial
in study design of each essay and there were in total the eight Non-RCT among all. Aside
from them, every study was to compare pre-post therapy of single group, which were five in
total. Among all which had been examined, two studies were evaluated to be reasonable
because the number of n obtained more than twenty and other all studies showed two of
internal validity and external validity of c. As effects gained from therapy that had been
applied, 12 out of 13 studies mentioned functional development of upper extremity or hands
and there was muscular improvement mentioned in six, and increment of ROM in five. For
else as effect shown from functional electrical stimulation therapy, there was activity of the
cerebral cortex in two, reduction of rigidity in one, change of ability to perform in daily
basis mentioned in one.
Conclusion : In future study, there should be constant study on therapeutic effect through investigative
examination and acquirement of many groups of subject. What is more, the study on many
clinical possibilities of functional electrical stimulation therapy.