Patient Information: Male, Age 75

Diagnosis: Stroke / Hemiparesis

History: This gentleman suffered a stroke nine years ago which caused hemiparesis (weakness) of the left arm. He was referred for outpatient occupational therapy services due to further loss of his left arm and hand strength with increased difficulty picking up items over the last four months.

Pre-Therapy Status:
•Left Hand Grip Strength: Zero pounds, unable to grasp items.
•Left Shoulder Active Range of Motion (AROM): Zero degrees flexion, unable to lift arm
without assistance.
•Activity of Daily Living (ADL) Safety: Unable to grasp handrail in bathroom to transfer on and off the toilet and unable to hold grab bar in shower for steadying assistance.

Therapy Information:
•Modality: Omnistim^® FX² Pro Electrotherapy System.
•Frequency: 3x per week.
•Protocol Specifics: Patterned electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) upper extremity triphasic wrist/hand protocol to left arm to facilitate normal muscle firing patterns for strength, coordination, and tone reduction.
•Duration: 12 weeks.
•Other Therapy Services Provided: Therapeutic exercises, therapeutic activities, and transfer training.

Outcome:
•Left Hand Grip Strength: 12 pounds, able to hold a glass of water with his left hand.
•Left Shoulder AROM: 45 degrees flexion, facilitating increased ease with upper body dressing.
•ADL Safety: Holds grab bar for transfers on and off toilet, and holds grab bar in shower for steadying assistance.

This gentleman is very pleased with his progress in occupational therapy. He stated his arm was stronger than its been in a long time, and credits the electrical stimulation with helping him to gain more strength and use his arm better.