Repetitive Nerve Stimulation to Improve Recovery After Stroke

Suprathreshold repetitive peripheral sensory stimulation will be applied to the median nerve of the affected forearm with surface electrodes. The stimulator will be set to deliver bursts of 10 Hz stimulation at 50% duty cycle (500 ms on and off). For suprathreshold stimulation, intensities will be set at the highest intensity able to induce sensory paraesthesias without overt muscle contraction or pain, and adjusted if required.

Subthreshold repetitive sensory stimulation will be applied to the median nerve of the affected forearm with surface electrodes. The stimulator will be set to deliver bursts of 10 Hz stimulation at 50% duty cycle (500 ms on and off). For subthreshold stimulation, intensities will be set at 10mv - 15mv lower than de lowest intensity able to induce sensory paraesthesias, and adjusted if required.