Gait training combining partial body-weight support, a treadmill, and functional electrical stimulation: effects on...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Biomechanics
• Motor Control

Background:

• Post-stroke hemiparesis often impairs locomotor function.
• Treadmill training with body-weight support (BWS) is a task-oriented approach for gait restoration.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can augment neuromuscular activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of combined FES and BWS treadmill training on walking functions.
• To assess the impact on voluntary limb control in chronic hemiparesis.
• To compare this combined intervention with BWS alone in a single-case design.

Main Methods:

• An A(1)-B-A(2) single-case study design was employed.
• Eight ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke participated.
• Intervention involved 3 weeks of BWS treadmill training (A phases) and 3 weeks of BWS treadmill training plus peroneal nerve FES (B phase).
• Motor recovery was assessed using the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement; gait parameters were analyzed via videography.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in motor function from 54.9% to 71.0% was observed during the FES intervention phase (B).
• Improvements in spatial-temporal gait variables, including cycle duration, stance duration, cadence, and cycle length symmetry, were noted when comparing phase B to phases A(1) and A(2).

Conclusions:

• Combined FES and BWS treadmill training enhances motor recovery and gait patterns in hemiparetic stroke survivors.
• This combined approach demonstrates utility in gait rehabilitation.
• The findings suggest this method may reduce the personnel required for gait training.