Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea para tratar espasticidade em membro superior pós-AVC: estudo de caso

Abstract

Stroke is a neurological alteration defined by the interruption of blood flow in the brain and can be classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. It can cause sequelae that compromise motor functions, such as hypertonia, increased muscle tone, and spasticity, which can be defined as a stretch reflex disorder, clinically manifested as an increase in muscle tone that becomes more apparent with age. faster stretching movements. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a form of treatment for upper limb spasticity in a patient after stroke. A descriptive case study was used as methodology, carried out at the Laboratory of Studies in Learning and Neurological Rehabilitation (LEARN) with a woman who suffered an ischemic stroke, applying TENS for the treatment of spasticity in the upper limbs. From this study, it is concluded that TENS can contribute to the improvement of upper limb spasticity in post-stroke patients, on the effects of electrostimulation. However, the research was limited to carrying out a TENS session, with only one volunteer. Therefore, we understand that more research is needed on this type of therapeutic intervention.