Evaluation of gait with multichannel electrical stimulation

Short, intensive multichannel electrical stimulation therapy was evaluated in 14 hemiplegics after stroke or head injury. The stimulation of the peroneal nerve, soleus, quadriceps, hamstring, gluteus maximus, and triceps brachii muscles with individually preprogrammed sequences was applied by surface electrodes at the beginning of gait rehabilitation. The patients started walking with the support of a therapist, gradually increased the walking distance and all reached independent ambulation with a crutch after an average of 14 stimulation sessions. A portable microprocessor six-channel stimulator/stride analyzer enabled the collection of gait parameters and recording of statistical mean values of stride time, gait symmetry, right and left stance times, and their standard deviations. Without additional equipment, several hundred stimulated strides were measured during each stimulation session.