Contralaterally Controlled FES of Arm & Hand for Subacute Stroke Rehabilitation

Impaired arm and hand function is one of the most disabling and most common consequences of stroke. The Investigators have developed Contralaterally Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation (CCFES), an innovative neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) treatment for improving the recovery of hand function after stroke. The purpose of this study is to maximize the treatment effect of CCFES by adding stimulated elbow extension. The specific aims and hypotheses are as follows: AIM 1: Estimate the effect of Arm+Hand CCFES on upper limb motor impairment and activity limitation. Hypothesis 1: Stroke survivors treated with Arm+Hand CCFES have better outcomes on upper limb impairment and activity limitation measures than those treated with dose-matched Arm+Hand Cyclic NMES. AIM 2: Estimate the effect of adding stimulated elbow extension to Hand CCFES. Hypothesis 2: Stroke survivors treated with Arm+Hand CCFES will have greater reductions in upper limb impairment and activity limitation than those treated with Hand CCFES. AIM 3: Describe the relationship between treatment effect and time elapsed between stroke onset and start of treatment. Hypothesis 3: Patients who start Arm+Hand CCFES sooner after their stroke achieve better outcomes.