Article

Dropped foot is a common problem following multiple sclerosis.
Functional electrical stimulation can elicit an active muscle contraction
providing dorsiflexion and eversion. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the Odstock
dropped foot stimulator (ODFS), improved Activities of Daily Living for people
with multiple sclerosis. METHOD: 64 people with unilateral dropped foot due to
secondary progressive multiple sclerosis took part in a randomized controlled
trial. Research volunteers were assigned to a group using the ODFS or a group who
received physiotherapy exercises for 18 weeks. Outcome measures were the Canadian
Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and a falls diary. RESULTS: Results of 53
research volunteers are reported. Improvements in performance and satisfaction
scores were greater in the ODFS group than the exercise group; (p < 0.05). Use of
the ODFS was also perceived as effective in reducing tripping and increasing
walking distance. The median number of falls were 5 in the ODFS group and 18 in
the exercise group (p = 0.036) over the study period. CONCLUSION: The study shows
that people with multiple sclerosis using the ODFS increased their COPM
performance and satisfaction scores of their identified problems of Activities of
Daily Living more than a matched group who received physiotherapy exercises. ODFS
users also experienced fewer falls.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Tiré à part : OUI