Introduction: Patients after stroke have functional problems of the upper limb, including decreased ability of reaching, picking up, holding, and handling objects, which leads to decreased ability to perform activities of daily living and cause decreased quality of life. Rehabilitation includes procedures that stimulate brain plasticity, including TENS and so called sensory electrical stimulation. Distinguishing between both methods is questionable, because TENS stimulates the sensory nerve fibres. Purpose: The purpose was to review studies of the effects of TENS and sensory electrical stimulation, as have been named by the authors, on improving movement of the upper limb in patients after stroke. Methods: Research articles were searched in the databases PubMed, PEDro, and CINAHL. Results: According to inclusion criteria, nine studies were included: five studied TENS, and four the sensory electrical stimulation. The studies were published between 1998 and 2019 and included from 28 to 112 participants. PEDro scores were between 3 and 7. TENS improved movement function (clinically significantly) in two studes and muscle strength and kinaesthesia in one study. The sensory electrical stimulation improved motor abilities (clinically significantly) in two studies and muscle strength and limb perception in one study. Discussion and conclusion: TENS was most effective in patients with low degree of hemiparesis, causing improvement of muscle activation and function. The sensory electrical stimulation improved perception of upper limb, grip strength, function of upper limb and it also improved time performance of test. Because of several differences between the reviewed studies, including parameters of electrical stimulation, duration of stimulation, electrode positioning, and time after stroke, further randomised controlled studies are required with TENS and/or sensory electrical stimulation.
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