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Therapeutic effects of functional electrical stimulation on motor cortex in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy
Insights
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) combined with physiotherapy enhances motor activity in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). EEG analysis revealed greater improvements in the intervention group, suggesting FES is a beneficial addition to therapy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects motor function in children.
- Conventional physiotherapy is a standard treatment.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an emerging therapeutic modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of FES combined with conventional physiotherapy on motor activity in children with spastic CP.
- To analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) changes associated with FES intervention.
- To compare EEG outcomes between an intervention group and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 15 children (5-14 years) with spastic CP.
- Intervention group received FES and physiotherapy; control group received physiotherapy only.
- EEG signals (Peak Alpha Frequency, SMR, mu wave suppression, PSD) were analyzed over 12 weeks.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed a decrease in sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) and enhanced mu wave suppression compared to the control group.
- These EEG changes indicate a greater improvement in motor activity performance.
- FES combined with physiotherapy led to more significant motor improvements.
Conclusions:
- FES combined with conventional physiotherapy is effective in improving motor activity in children with spastic CP.
- EEG analysis provides objective markers for assessing therapeutic efficacy.
- This combined approach offers a promising strategy for CP rehabilitation.
Abstract:
In the present study we have evaluated the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal recorded during ankle dorsal and plantar flexion in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) after Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) of the Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscles. The intervention group had 10 children with spastic diaplegic/hemiplegic CP within the age group of 5 to 14 years of age who received both FES for 30 minutes and the conventional physiotherapy for 30 minutes a day, while the control group had 5 children who received only conventional physiotherapy for 60(30 + 30) minutes a day only. Both group were treated for 5 days a week, up to 12 weeks. The EEG data were analyzed for Peak Alpha Frequency (PAF), sensorimotor rhythm (SMR), mu wave suppression and power spectral density (PSD) of all the bands. The results showed a decrease in SMR and mu wave suppression in the intervention group as compared to the control group, indicating a positive/greater improvement in performance of motor activities. Therefore, from this study we could conclude that FES combined with conventional physiotherapy improves the motor activity in children with spastic CP.
