Electrical stimulation and feedback training: effects on the voluntary control of paretic muscles

The carry-over effect of gait-synchronized stimulation of the peroneal nerve on voluntary dorsiflexion of the paretic foot was evaluated in hemiplegic patients. The influence of providing audiovisual feedback of performance on voluntary control was also evaluated. Each patient received three test sessions separated at least one week apart. In each session, measurement of isometric torque from voluntary effort was repeated four times: before, and at 0, 30 and 60 minutes after a 20-minute walk period. Session 2 involved both peroneal stimulation during walking and performance feedback during voluntary efforts. Session 1 had stimulation only. Session 3 had feedback only. The results were inconsistent among the patients. Where increase of voluntary dorsiflexion was obtained, it was more a consequence of performance feedback than peroneal stimulation. General problems of using isometric torque produced by voluntary dorsiflexion as a measure of the carry-over effect are discussed.