Comparison the Effects of Early Functional Electrical Stimulation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerves Stimulation in Functional and Motor Recovery for Acute Stroke Patients

Two dual-channel stimulators (MEDTRONIC Respond Select；Empi Inc) were connected with a program timer to form one stimulating unit for functional electrical stimulation (FES). FES was delivered with 0.3-ms pulses at 30 Hz, maximum tolerance intensity about 20 to 30 mA to cause visible muscle contraction.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) stimulator (BioTENS, Skylark Device \& Systems Co., Ltd,) was applied with 0.2 ms pulses, at 100 Hz in the constant mode within the subject'sensory level without muscle contraction, via (5 × 3.5 cm) electrodes attached to the motor points of quadriceps and tibialis anterior (TA) on the affected lower extremity.

The standard rehabilitation (SR) program was a part of a regular intervention in stroke center. The activities of SR performed including neurodevelopment facilitation techniques, range of motion exercises and movement re-learning exercises etc.