Research Article Open Access

Investigating the Efficacy of surface Electromyography (sEMG) in Hand Rehabilitation for Stroke Survivors: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Stroke ranks as the second or third leading cause of death and is a major cause of adult disability. Hand strength deficits, including finger, grip, and pinch strength, are significant. Muscle disuse atrophy leads to reduced muscle fiber size, and sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass in older adults, is common. Despite rehabilitation, about 60% of stroke survivors do not fully regain arm and hand function, resulting in ongoing activity limitations and reduced quality of life. These individuals often lack voluntary movement for independent task practice or daily use of the affected limb. This review examines sEMG signals in hand muscles of stroke survivors and compiles data on sEMG use in their rehabilitation.

Methodology: A literature search was carried out in PubMed and EBSCO for all studies that reported use of surface Electromyography (sEMG) for hand rehabilitation in stroke patients. Selected articles were published in English.

Result: Overall 185 papers were found of which 13 were included in the final review. 8 studies used EMG as a treatment procedure and 2 studies used EMG as an outcome measure to check the muscle activation pattern.

Conclusion: sEMG can be used as an effective rehabilitation tool in the field of neuro physiotherapy to improve the hand muscle function following stroke.

Nikita Kumar, Sonali Soumyashree*, B. Maithili Dutta Pradhan

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