Therapeutic effects of multisite electric stimulation of gait in motor-disabled patients

Therapeutic effects in ten hemiplegic patients and one paraparetic patient treated by multisite electric stimulation of gait were compared with effects in ten hemiplegic patients treated by standard rehabilitation methods after 2.6 months of extensive therapy. Average step length and gait velocity, ground reaction forces and their distribution under both feet, and crutch loading were measured; goniograms of joint angles, kinesiologic gait analysis, and EMG recordings from the main muscles used in ambulation and in standing, were made while patients in both groups walked without stimulation. Quantitative measurements before, during, at the end, and 8.4 months posttherapy were taken based on at least 40 strides per patient. The results for the stimulated group in midtherapy indicated faster recovery rates (3.15 times in step length and 2.25 times in gait velocity) than in the control group, and at the end of therapy the stimulated group had higher improvement levels (2.14 times in step length, 1.42 times in gait velocity, and 1.63 times in kinesiologic gait analysis). The differences between the two groups faded after 8.4 months without treatment, and some kinesiologic deficits reappeared, mostly those in the more distal muscle groups. These findings indicate a need for a simpler orthotic electric stimulation after multisite therapy in several cases. Immediate effects of the six-site stimulation were also considered for orthotic possibilities after the therapy.