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Effects of biofeedback versus switch-triggered functional electrical stimulation on sciatica-related foot drop
Dragos Petrica Sardaru1, Daniela Matei1, Dan Zaharia-Kezdi1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa", Iasi, Romania.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
|September 27, 2017
Summary
EMG triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) shows superior motor recovery for sciatica-related foot drop compared to sensor-triggered FES. EMG-FES enhances muscle control and function, offering a promising treatment for peripheral nerve issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sciatica-related Foot Drop is a peripheral nerve condition impairing ankle dorsiflexion.
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) aids motor recovery in central nervous system disorders.
- The efficacy of FES for peripheral nerve injury, like that from lumbar disc herniation, requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of FES on foot drop caused by peripheral nerve compression.
- To compare EMG-triggered FES (EMG-FES) with heel-floor sensor-triggered FES (SWITCH-FES) in patients with lumbar disc herniation-induced foot drop.
Main Methods:
- Fifty patients were divided into EMG-FES and SWITCH-FES groups (25 each).
- Patients received daily 30-minute FES treatments for 4 weeks.
- Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, dynamometry, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were assessed.
Main Results:
- EMG-FES group exhibited lower axonal loss compared to SWITCH-FES (p<0.004).
- Significant improvements in muscle force (p<0.0001) and functional status (p<0.0001) were observed in the EMG-FES group.
- Both FES methods improved study parameters, but EMG-FES demonstrated superior motor control.
Conclusions:
- EMG-FES significantly enhances motor control and functional recovery in foot drop patients.
- For patients with minimal active contraction, SWITCH-FES is recommended initially, followed by EMG-FES.
- FES is a viable therapeutic modality for peripheral nerve injury-induced foot drop.
