Combined Therapy With Functional Electrical Stimulation and Standing Frame in Stroke Patients

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Stroke often leads to hemiparesis and postural instability, significantly impacting patients' quality of life.
• Effective rehabilitation strategies are crucial for restoring standing balance and functional independence in stroke survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of combined functional electrical stimulation (FES) and standing frame training on standing balance in subacute stroke patients.
• To compare the effects of simultaneous versus sequential application of FES and standing frame training.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 60 subacute stroke patients with hemiparesis and postural instability.
• The study group received simultaneous FES (quadriceps, tibialis anterior) and standing balance training; the control group received separate training.
• Assessments included the Biodex Balance System, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and functional outcome measures over 3 weeks.

Main Results:

• Both groups demonstrated improvements in postural stability, physical, and cognitive functions after 3 weeks.
• The combined FES and standing frame group showed significantly greater improvements in BBS scores and stability indices compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Combined functional electrical stimulation and standing frame training is therapeutically effective for improving standing balance in subacute stroke patients.
• The proposed combined therapy protocol is time-efficient and clinically applicable, offering a valuable rehabilitation method.