ABSTRACT
The effect of functional electrical stimulation on gait and postural sway of hemiplegics was studied. Patients utilizing the Underknee Peroneal Stimulator were studied and compared to patients receiving conventional physiotherapy and to normal subjects. Several patients treated with electrical stimulation showed marked improvement in postural sway and ankle control during locomotion. Additional studies on the effect of various stimulation waveforms and pain sensation in a computer-controlled double blind evaluation are discussed.
ABSTRACT
Patients with hemiplegia frequently have difficulty in walking due to lack of eversion and dorsiflexion capability of the foot. One method of treating these patients utilizes functional electrical stimulation (FES). The effect of FES on locomotion, co-ordination, proprioception and balance sense was assessed using instrumented gait analysis and a postural sway test. In general patients treated with FES showed either a marked improvement or very little change. Any improvement was reflected in postural sway and ankle control during locomotion. Changes in hip and knee control were insignificant.
