Application of electromyographic biofeedback therapy in physical dysfunction rehabilitation and post-stroke anxiety reduction in stroke survivors

BACKGROUND Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, and limb motor dysfunction is one of the most common complications affecting the quality of life of patients. AIM To investigate the rehabilitation effects of conventional rehabilitation training combined with electromyographic biofeedback therapy on limb motor dysfunction in stroke survivors. METHODS This observational retrospective cohort study included 60 stroke survivors who underwent post-stroke rehabilitation training in the rehabilitation department of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (Qingdao) from May 2023 to July 2024. The medical records of the patients were assessed. Eligible patients (N = 60) were divided into two groups on the basis of the type of rehabilitation training received: Conventional rehabilitation alone (control group, n = 30) and conventional rehabilitation combined with electromyographic biofeedback therapy (biofeedback group, n = 30). Upper and lower limb motor function, wrist extension, balance ability, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion were evaluated before treatment and at 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment by reviewing the patients’ electronic medical records. RESULTS At 4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment, the biofeedback group showed significantly better Fugl-Meyer assessment scores, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores, and wrist and ankle active range of motion scores than the control group. CONCLUSION Electromyographic biofeedback therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation can effectively improve upper and lower limb motor function, balance ability, activities of daily living, wrist extension, and ankle dorsiflexion dysfunction in patients post-stroke, with better efficacy than conventional rehabilitation alone.