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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Using Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Published on: September 13, 2015
Surface peroneal nerve stimulation in lower limb hemiparesis: effect on quantitative gait parameters
Lynne R Sheffler1, Paul N Taylor, Stephanie Nogan Bailey
1From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (LRS, JC); Cleveland Veterans Affairs Functional Electrical Stimulation Center of Excellence, Cleveland, Ohio (LRS, JC); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (LRS, MJI, JC); The National Clinical FES Center, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, United Kingdom (PNT); Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (SNB); Center for Health Policy Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio (DDG); Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, the Netherlands (JHB); Department of Health Technology and Services Research, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands (MJI); and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (JC).
Gait training improved walking speed and power in stroke survivors. However, peroneal nerve stimulation showed no additional benefit over usual care, with both groups experiencing decreased ankle dorsiflexion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Chronic stroke survivors often experience impaired gait and mobility.
- Restoring functional ambulation is a key goal in post-stroke rehabilitation.
- Quantitative gait analysis provides objective measures of functional improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate mechanisms for functional improvement in chronic stroke survivors.
- To compare ambulation training with surface peroneal nerve stimulation versus usual care.
- To utilize quantitative gait analysis to assess outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at an academic medical center.
- 110 chronic stroke survivors with unilateral hemiparesis participated.
- Interventions included 12 weeks of surface peroneal nerve stimulation or usual care, followed by 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed over time in cadence, stride length, walking speed, and ground reaction forces.
- Peak hip power in preswing and peak ankle power at push-off also improved.
- No significant differences in gait parameters were found between the peroneal nerve stimulation and usual care groups.
Conclusions:
- Both gait training with peroneal nerve stimulation and usual care led to improvements in gait parameters.
- No significant differences were detected between the treatment groups.
- A decrease in peak ankle dorsiflexion in swing was observed in both groups, with unclear clinical implications.
