Functional electrical stimulation enhances motor control in stroke rehabilitation

To investigate the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in enhancing motor control in stroke survivors.

A retrospective study was conducted on clinical data from 150 stroke patients with lower-limb motor dysfunction, treated at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024. Patients were divided into three groups: a control group (conventional rehabilitation), a CPN-FES group (conventional rehabilitation + calf muscle functional stimulation), and a TA-FES group (conventional rehabilitation + tibialis anterior functional stimulation). The data collected included F-wave latency and amplitude, H-reflex changes, lower-limb motor function, walking and balance abilities, mental status, and activities of daily living. The outcomes across the groups were compared to assess the efficacy of FES in improving motor control in stroke patients.

The study found that integrating electrical stimulation with early rehabilitation markedly enhanced stroke patients' recovery. After 8 weeks, improvements were observed in lower-limb motor function, walking and balance, cognitive status, and daily living activities. The CPN-FES group showed the greatest improvements, followed by the TA-FES group, while the control group demonstrated the least improvement. Additionally, FES therapy improved nerve conduction and reduced muscle spasticity, as evidenced by changes in F-wave and H-reflex measurements.

The use of functional electrical stimulation in stroke rehabilitation appears to enhance motor control and improve functional outcomes. This approach merits further investigation in a clinical setting.