Immediate Effects of Passive Ankle Joint Movement with Electrical Muscle Stimulation on Walking Speed in Older Adults

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To investigate the immediate effect of passive interventions (passive joint movement with electrical muscle stimulation [EMS]) of the ankle joint on walking speed in frail older adults. <h3>Design</h3> One-group pretest-posttest open-label pilot study. <h3>Setting</h3> A geriatric health care facility. <h3>Participants</h3> Ten older adults undergoing daycare rehabilitation (86.1 ± 6.5 years, 3 men and 7 women). <h3>Interventions</h3> Ankle joint movement was performed at a speed of 100 times/min with a passive repetitive movement device, in a sitting position on a chair. The execution time was set to 5 min. The gastrocnemius muscle was stimulated by the EMS at the time of plantar flexion motion during the ankle joint movement. EMS was set to the maximum intensity that did not cause discomfort or pain. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Usual walking speed and ankle functions (plantar flexion strength, plantar flexion angular velocity, and plantar/dorsiflexion range of motion) were measured before and after the intervention. <h3>Results</h3> There were significant improvements in plantar flexion angular velocity (pre: 486.2 ± 160.4, post: 541.0 ± 181.9, p=0.02) and walking speed (pre: 0.61 ± 0.19, post: 0.66 ± 0.20, p=0.04) by paired t-test. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Passive ankle joint movement with ESM immediately improved walking speed in older adults. Because this passive intervention can be performed without being affected by a decline in physical or cognitive functions, it may be an effective method for improving walking speed in frail older adults who are unable to engage in active exercise. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have no financial or non-financial conflicts to disclose.