Effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on gait function in adult patients with upper motor neuron syndrome at different phases of treatment

Abstract-Text (inkl. Referenzen und Bildunterschriften)

Introduction:Foot drop is a common impairment of patients with upper motor neuron disease [1]. Besides ankle foot orthoses FES is used as an alternative treatment. It shows the advantage of an active dorsiflexion and less joint restrictions while being more comfortable [2]. Even with minor biomechanical improvements, patients satisfaction can be high and superior to AFOs [3]. Research question:For a better understanding of how effects of FES evolve over time, gait function in patients starting their treatment and patients after one year of treatment are analyzed. Methods:The longitudinal and cross-sectional study consist of two groups. Newly treated patients (G1) and patients started their FES treatment at least 12 month ago (G2). Both groups run through two measurement days, 12 weeks apart, where gait analysis will be recorded with and without FES. To analyze general effects of FES, all walking conditions are grouped together. Until now, twelve patients in total have been measured for T1 (six of each group). For this intermediate analysis the effects of FES are descriptively analyzed over both groups together and for each group separately.Results:General effects of FES over both groups show an increase in step length. Separated in each group, G1 shows an increase from 0.60 to 0.61 cm and for G2 from 0.61 to 0.63 cm. Walking speed over both groups increases as well. G1 stays at 1.02 m/s and G2 increases from 1.03 to 1.07 m/s. In terms of ankle kinematics, dorsiflexion during heel strike over both groups shows higher values. For G1 the increase is 1.06° and for G2 4.36°. Max. dorsiflexion during swing shows similar effects. G1 increases 1.23° and G2 2.90°.Discussion:Early results show that effects of FES tend to be higher in G3, indicating effects of FES over time which might lead to an improved walking function and dynamic stability. To see how the effects of FES evolve over time in each group and during different walking conditions will be interesting to analyze.