The overall goal is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel intervention - Breathing-controlled electrical stimulation (BreEStim) on finger flexor spasticity reduction and hand function improvement in chronic stroke with severe impairment.
has post stroke ≥ 6 months , medically stable;
Unilateral, single stroke (no restriction on type (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or volume (large or small) of stroke);
MAS score ≥ 1, i.e., detectable finger flexor hypertonia;
Patients with visual deficit/neglect; hearing or cognitive impairment;
Patients with history of pulmonary disease (Asthma, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease, COPD);
Patients that are currently adjusting tone alternating medications (e.g., baclofen), or
Patients received botulinum toxin injection to the arm/fingers <4 months, or phenol injections < 2 years;