Smith, Moira (2026) Critically appraised papers: Cyclical electrical stimulation improves muscle strength and activity after stroke. Journal of Physiotherapy, 72. p. 223.

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Abstract

Muscle weakness is a key impairment limiting activity and participation after stroke, yet many individuals are unable to generate sufficient voluntary muscle activation to engage in conventional strengthening exercise. Cyclical electrical stimulation (CES) is a feasible strengthening intervention that enables muscle loading and activation of the motor system in individuals who might otherwise receive limited strength-focused interventions, particularly among those early post-stroke or with severe paresis. As voluntary control improves, electrical stimulation is most appropriately applied in a task-specific manner aligned with functional goals such as walking or upper limb use.

Item ID:	92569
Item Type:	Article (Commentary)
ISSN:	1836-9561
Copyright Information:	© 2026 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Australian Physiotherapy Association. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2026 02:30
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420106 Physiotherapy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2001 Clinical health > 200105 Treatment of human diseases and conditions @ 100%
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