Abstract
BackgroundMany stroke survivors suffer from paresis of lower limb muscles, resulting in compensatory gait patterns characterised by asymmetries in spatial and temporal parameters and reduced walking capacity. Functional electrical stimulation has been used to improve walking capacity, but evidence is mostly limited to the orthotic effects of peroneal functional electrical stimulation in the chronic phase after stroke. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of up to 10 weeks of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation (MFES)-assisted gait training on the restoration of spatiotemporal gait symmetry and walking capacity in subacute stroke patients.MethodsIn a proof-of-principle study with a randomised controlled design, 40 adult patients with walking deficits who are admitted for inpatient rehabilitation within 31 days since the onset of stroke are randomised to either MFES-assisted gait training or conventional gait training. Gait training is delivered in 30-minute sessions each workday for up to 10 weeks. The step length symmetry ratio is the primary outcome. Blinded assessors conduct outcome assessments at baseline, every 2 weeks during the intervention period, immediately post intervention and at 3-month follow-up.DiscussionThis study aims to provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of MFES-assisted gait rehabilitation early after stroke. Results will inform the design of a larger multi-centre trial.Trial registrationThis trial is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (number NTR4762, registered 28 August 2014)Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1604-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Many stroke survivors suffer from paresis of lower limb muscles, resulting in compensatory gait patterns characterised by asymmetries in spatial and temporal parameters and reduced walking capacity
The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation (MFES)-assisted gait training on gait symmetry and walking capacity in patients in the subacute phase after stroke during their inpatient rehabilitation
We hypothesise that stroke survivors will benefit from the therapeutic effect of MFES-assisted gait training by larger improvements on spatiotemporal parameters compared to conventional gait training
Summary
Many stroke survivors suffer from paresis of lower limb muscles, resulting in compensatory gait patterns characterised by asymmetries in spatial and temporal parameters and reduced walking capacity. The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of up to 10 weeks of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation (MFES)-assisted gait training on the restoration of spatiotemporal gait symmetry and walking capacity in subacute stroke patients. In the early phase after stroke, the musculature of the affected side is often paretic or even paralytic. Compensatory gait patterns characterised by asymmetries in spatial and temporal parameters may arise that tend to be persistent, even in patients who show substantial restoration of paretic leg motor control, perhaps due to
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
