Response of prolonged flaccid paralysis to FNS rehabilitation techniques

The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of muscles with prolonged flaccid paralysis (a year after stroke) to two types of treatment: (1) functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) with surface electrodes; and (2) FNS with intramuscular (IM) electrodes (FNS-IM). A second purpose was to compare FNS-gait versus volitional gait (no FNS activation).

We used a single case study design; our patient was age 72, with flaccid paralysis of knee flexors and ankle dorsiflexors.

Following four months of treatment with surface-stimulation, there was no change in muscle function or gait. Following treatment with FNS-IM, the patient regained partial volitional control of knee flexors and dorsiflexors; untreated muscles did not change.

FNS-gait provided more normal knee and ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase versus volitional gait swing phase (no FNS activation).