The Effects of Low-Intensity Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation on Reducing Hypertonia in Hemiparetic Stroke
Session Number
3
Advisor(s)
Hongchul Sohn, Northwestern University
Location
A149
Discipline
Biology
Start Date
15-4-2026 2:15 PM
End Date
15-4-2026 3:00 PM
Abstract
Stroke, which impacts millions of people worldwide, can cause long-lasting motor impairments which impact their daily life. Hypertonia, one of these debilitating symptoms, is the increase in muscle tone due to upper motor neuron lesions. It is caused by damage to the central nervous system, specifically the brain or spinal cord, which disrupts signals controlling muscle contraction. Living with hypertonia can significantly impact a person’s daily life. Actions such as reaching for a cup, can be difficult for those living with hypertonia due to muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, loss of grip strength, and other involuntary muscle movements. All these symptoms can also cause even greater levels of motor impairment. Current treatment options such as oral medications, physical therapy, and surgical interventions are limited, often provide only short-term relief, and come with serious side effects. However, recent studies have demonstrated the viability of electrical stimulation as a potential therapy for reducing spasticity. This research project aims to determine the effects of low-intensity cutaneous electrical stimulation treatments on hypertonia in multiple patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Our research tracked hypertonia levels throughout electrical stimulation therapy in patients. During our trials, The patient was asked to participate through five stages. The participants were instructed to do various arm movements while sitting relaxed with the arm fully supported as electrical stimulation was applied to the skin over the biceps muscle (20Hz, 0.1ms pulse duration, for 10 minutes) and electromyography (EMG) data was collected from the bicep and lateral tricep muscles. We used EMG’s rather than other data collecting methods as they are faster to set up, more comfortable for the patient, and much simpler to use. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in hypertonia before and after electrical stimulation, suggesting a constant trend of hypertonia decreasing with the use of electrical stimulation treatments.
The Effects of Low-Intensity Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation on Reducing Hypertonia in Hemiparetic Stroke
A149
Stroke, which impacts millions of people worldwide, can cause long-lasting motor impairments which impact their daily life. Hypertonia, one of these debilitating symptoms, is the increase in muscle tone due to upper motor neuron lesions. It is caused by damage to the central nervous system, specifically the brain or spinal cord, which disrupts signals controlling muscle contraction. Living with hypertonia can significantly impact a person’s daily life. Actions such as reaching for a cup, can be difficult for those living with hypertonia due to muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, loss of grip strength, and other involuntary muscle movements. All these symptoms can also cause even greater levels of motor impairment. Current treatment options such as oral medications, physical therapy, and surgical interventions are limited, often provide only short-term relief, and come with serious side effects. However, recent studies have demonstrated the viability of electrical stimulation as a potential therapy for reducing spasticity. This research project aims to determine the effects of low-intensity cutaneous electrical stimulation treatments on hypertonia in multiple patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Our research tracked hypertonia levels throughout electrical stimulation therapy in patients. During our trials, The patient was asked to participate through five stages. The participants were instructed to do various arm movements while sitting relaxed with the arm fully supported as electrical stimulation was applied to the skin over the biceps muscle (20Hz, 0.1ms pulse duration, for 10 minutes) and electromyography (EMG) data was collected from the bicep and lateral tricep muscles. We used EMG’s rather than other data collecting methods as they are faster to set up, more comfortable for the patient, and much simpler to use. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in hypertonia before and after electrical stimulation, suggesting a constant trend of hypertonia decreasing with the use of electrical stimulation treatments.