The effect of phrenic nerve electrical stimulation combined with respiratory training on lung function and on the trunk stability and balance of stroke survivors

Objective To observe the effect of phrenic nerve electrical stimulation combined with respiratory training on the pulmonary function, trunk stability and balance of stroke survivors. Methods Thirty-six stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group and a training group, each of 28. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation treatment (including physical agent therapy and combined training of the limbs), while the training group was additionally provided with phrenic nerve electrical stimulation combined with respiratory training once a day for six weeks. Before and after the treatment, the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) of both groups were recorded. The Sheikh trunk control scale (TCT) was used to quantify their trunk stability, and balance was quantified using the Berg balance function scale (BBS). Results After six weeks of treatment the average FVC, FEV1 and PEF values of the training group were significantly higher than before the treatment, and significantly better than those of the control group after the treatment. Moreover, significant improvement was observed in the average TCT and BBS scores of both groups after the intervention, with the training group′s average significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion Phrenic nerve electrical stimulation combined with respiratory training can further improve the pulmonary function and balance function of stroke survivors as a supplement to routine rehabilitation treatment. Therefore, it is worth popularizing in clinical practice. Key words: Phrenic nerve electrical stimulation; Respiratory training; Stroke; Pulmonary function; Balance