Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference·2007
Hemiplegia often results in impaired nerve function and reduced muscle strength.
Peroneal nerve stimulation is a potential therapeutic approach for motor recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
To evaluate the effect of chronic electric stimulation on peroneal nerve conduction velocity and dorsiflexion strength in hemiplegic patients.
Main Methods:
Surgically implanted electrodes delivered electric stimulation to the peroneal nerve in nine hemiplegic patients.
Nerve conduction velocity and dorsiflexion strength were measured over a mean duration of 25 months.
A control group of ten hemiplegic subjects did not receive stimulation.
Main Results:
No statistically significant difference in nerve conduction velocity was observed between stimulated and unstimulated extremities or compared to controls.
Maximum dorsiflexion strength significantly increased in all patients receiving chronic stimulation.
Conclusions:
Chronic peroneal nerve stimulation may not significantly alter nerve conduction velocity in hemiplegic patients.
However, this stimulation method shows promise for improving muscle strength, specifically dorsiflexion.