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Biomechanics of functional electrical stimulation
Prosthetics and Orthotics International
|December 1, 1982
Summary
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can improve walking ability in hemiplegia patients by enhancing ankle control and balance. While some patients show marked improvement, others experience minimal change, with hip and knee control remaining unaffected.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Hemiplegia often impairs walking due to reduced foot eversion and dorsiflexion.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a therapeutic modality used to address motor deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of FES on gait, coordination, proprioception, and balance in hemiplegic patients.
- To determine the effectiveness of FES in improving functional mobility.
Main Methods:
- Instrumented gait analysis was employed to assess locomotion parameters.
- A postural sway test was utilized to measure balance control.
- Patients with hemiplegia received functional electrical stimulation treatment.
Main Results:
- Patients generally exhibited either significant improvement or minimal change following FES treatment.
- Improvements were primarily observed in postural sway and ankle control during walking.
- No significant changes were noted in hip and knee control.
Conclusions:
- FES can be an effective intervention for improving gait and balance in hemiplegic individuals, particularly by enhancing ankle function.
- The benefits of FES may vary among patients, with ankle and balance improvements being most prominent.
- FES does not appear to significantly impact hip and knee control in this population.