Novel multi-pad functional electrical stimulation in stroke patients : A single-blind randomized study

BACKGROUND: Foot drop is common gait impairment after stroke. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles during the swing phase of gait can help correcting foot drop. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of additional novel FES system to conventional therapy in facilitating motor recovery in the lower extremities and improving walking ability after stroke. METHODS: Sixteen stroke patients were randomly allocated to the FES group (FES therapy plus conventional rehabilitation program) (n=8), and control group (conventional rehabilitation program) n=8. FES was delivered for 30min during gait to induce ankle plantar and dorsiflexion. Main outcome measures: Gait speed using 10 Meter Walk Test (10 MWT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and modified Barthel Index (MBI). RESULTS: Results showed a significant increase in gait speed in FES group (p