The Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation of Hip Abductor and Tibialis Anterior Muscles on Standing and Gait Characteristics in Patients with Stroke.

Background/

Objectives: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been used to improve the quality of life of patients with stroke. Rehabilitation programs focus on standing and walking, which are vital to functional independence and keystone ingredients in functional competency. To examine the effects of simultaneous continuous ongoing FES of gluteus medius (GMed) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles at isometric contraction during standing and walking in patients with stroke.

Methods: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles during different conditions have been used in patients with stroke. FES was applied to hip abductors and dorsiflexor muscles of the affected limb during four different conditions: passive hip abduction and ankle dorsiflexion, respectively (condition 1), sit-to-stand (condition 2), 10 m walk test (condition 3), and walking on C-mill treadmill (condition 4). The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Five Times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), 10-m walk test (10-MWT), and C-mill treadmill were used to assess spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles, sit-to-stand performance, and temporal-spatial characteristics, respectively.

Results: Short- and long-term FES management programs significantly reduced spasticity in the hip adductor and calf muscles and improved sit-to-stand performance, gait speed, and gait temporal-spatial characteristics.

Conclusions: Short- and long-term FES management programs of GMed and TA muscles can quickly and effectively improve the spasticity and ambulation of patients with stroke. Further research incorporating gait analysis with randomized controlled samples is needed.