Article

Here we developed and tested a novel system for early motor
rehabilitation in acute stroke when patients are unable to stand and walk without
assistance. Stepping performance may be largely facilitated by providing
treatment in the supine position on a tilt table using step-synchronized
functional electrical stimulation (FES) with assisted leg movements and
progressive limb loading. Methods: Sixty-one individuals with acute stroke were
randomly assigned to two groups, experimental and control. The first group
received both a conventional therapy and FES-therapy combined with progressive
limb loading, whereas the control group received a conventional therapy only.
Changes after treatment were assessed using clinical scores and
neurophysiological measurements of movement performance. Results: After
treatment, there was an improvement of the clinical scores, muscle forces and
everyday life activity performance in both groups, however, significantly higher
in the experimental group. Active rhythmic movements of the non paretic leg often
provoked muscle activity in the paretic leg as well as there was a reduction of
the contralateral leg muscle contraction during paretic leg movements.
Conclusion: The developed FES and leg displacement-assisted therapy facilitates a
smooth transition to walking in the vertical position and increases the patient's
functional abilities and the effectiveness of rehabilitation.

Langue : ANGLAIS