P295 Effects of functional electric stimulation and task specific training on gait recovery in patients with stroke: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives This work was designed to assess the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with task specific training on gait recovery in stroke patients. Methods Thirty hemiparetic stroke patients aged 40–58 years old were randomly assigned into two equal groups; the control group had received conventional physiotherapy program while the study group had received the same program in addition to FES therapy during treadmill training. Two dimensional (2D) gait analysis was used to assess gait parameters before and after completion of the treatment sessions. Results A statistically significant improvement had been reported in all gait parameters in the post-treatment assessment of the study group as compared to the control group including the gait velocity (P = 0.048), cadence (P = 0.030), ten meters walking time (P = 0.043), step length (P = 0.033), stride length (P = 0.015) and the instantaneous angles of knee and ankle of the affected lower limb during gait cycle sub-phases. Discussion These results may be attributed to physiological effect of FES during treadmill training. It induces afferent-efferent stimulation which results in limb movement. It provides task-oriented practice of walking and active repetitive movement training. It activates sensory inputs and central neuronal circuits that allow optimal motor learning. It stimulates neuronal recovery and neuroplasticity. Conclusion FES therapy combined with conventional stroke rehabilitation program improves gait parameters when compared to conventional therapy alone in hemiparetic stroke patients. Significance The beneficial effects of FES on gait encourage the corporation of its use in the rehabilitation programs for patients with hemiparetic stroke.