Combining treadmill training with functional electrical stimulation can improve the lower limb motor functioning and walking ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe any effect of body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on lower limb motor function and the walking ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty-eight stroke survivors with hemiplegia were randomly divided into an FES group of 19, a BWSTT group of 19 and a combination group of 20. In addition to their early routine rehabilitation therapy, the FES and BWSTT groups were provided with the respective therapies, while the combination group received both. The three groups received 30 minutes of treatment a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the simplified version of the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for the lower extremities (FMA-LE), the 10-metre walk test (10MWT) and functional ambulation classification (FAC) were used to evaluate the subjects′ balance, lower-limb motor function, walking speed and walking function before and after the 8 weeks of treatment.Results:After the treatment, the average BBS, FMA-LE, 10MWT and FAC scores of all three groups had improved significantly, but the combination group′s averages were then significantly better than those of the other two groups.Conclusions:BWSTT combined with FES can best improve the balance, lower-limb motor functioning and walking of hemiplegic stroke survivors.