A Pilot Study on the Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation of Stroke Patients in a Sitting Position on Balance and Activities of Daily Living

Background. Contralaterally controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation (CCNMES) is a novel electrical stimulation treatment for stroke; however, reports on the efficacy of CCNMES on lower extremity function after stroke are scarce. Objective. To compare the effects of CCNMES versus NMES on lower extremity function and activities of daily living (ADL) in subacute stroke patients. Methods. Forty-four patients with a history of subacute stroke were randomly assigned to a CCNMES group and a NMES group ( n = 22 per group). Twenty-one patients in each group completed the study per protocol, with one subject lost in follow-up in each group. The CCNMES group received CCNMES to the tibialis anterior (TA) and the peroneus longus and brevis muscles to induce ankle dorsiflexion motion, whereas the NMES group received NMES. The stimulus current was a biphasic waveform with a pulse duration of 200 μs and a frequency of 60 Hz. Patients in both groups underwent five 15 min sessions of electrical stimulation per week for three weeks. Indicators of motor function and ADL were measured pre- and posttreatment, including the Fugl–Meyer assessment of the lower extremity (FMA-LE) and modified Barthel index (MBI). Surface electromyography (sEMG) assessments included average electromyography (aEMG), integrated electromyography (iEMG), and root mean square (RMS) of the paretic TA muscle. Results. Values for the FMA-LE, MBI, aEMG, iEMG, and RMS of the affected TA muscle were significantly increased in both groups after treatment ( p < 0.01 ). Patients in the CCNMES group showed significant improvements in all the measurements compared with the NMES group after treatment. Within-group differences in all post- and pretreatment indicators were significantly greater in the CCNMES group than in the NMES group ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. CCNMES improved motor function and ADL ability to a greater extent than the conventional NMES in subacute stroke patients.

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Development of EMG-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation Device for Upper Extremity Bilateral Movement Training in Stroke Patients: Feasibility and Pilot study

Physical therapy rehabilitation science ◽

10.14474/ptrs.2021.10.3.374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 374-378

Author(s):

Changho Song ◽

Dong-kwon Seo

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Movement Training ◽

Bilateral Movement

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Impact on activities of daily living using a functional electrical stimulation device to improve dropped foot in people with multiple sclerosis, measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458510366013 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 1141-1147 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

JE Esnouf ◽

PN Taylor ◽

GE Mann ◽

CL Barrett

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Daily Living ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Performance Measure ◽

Occupational Performance ◽

Canadian Occupational Performance Measure ◽

Research Volunteers

Background: Dropped foot is a common problem following multiple sclerosis. Functional electrical stimulation can elicit an active muscle contraction providing dorsiflexion and eversion. Objective: To determine if the Odstock dropped foot stimulator (ODFS), improved Activities of Daily Living for people with multiple sclerosis. Method: 64 people with unilateral dropped foot due to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis took part in a randomized controlled trial. Research volunteers were assigned to a group using the ODFS or a group who received physiotherapy exercises for 18 weeks. Outcome measures were the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and a falls diary. Results: Results of 53 research volunteers are reported. Improvements in performance and satisfaction scores were greater in the ODFS group than the exercise group; ( p < 0.05). Use of the ODFS was also perceived as effective in reducing tripping and increasing walking distance. The median number of falls were 5 in the ODFS group and 18 in the exercise group ( p = 0.036) over the study period. Conclusion: The study shows that people with multiple sclerosis using the ODFS increased their COPM performance and satisfaction scores of their identified problems of Activities of Daily Living more than a matched group who received physiotherapy exercises. ODFS users also experienced fewer falls.

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