Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the application of Functional Electrical Stimulation
improves gait kinematics and walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis
who experience foot drop. DESIGN: Acute open labelled comparative observation
trial. Participants: Twelve people (3 females, 9 males, EDSS 2-4) with relapsing
remitting multiple sclerosis (47.8 years (standard deviation 6.6)) who were new
users of functional electrical stimulation. METHODS: Gait kinematics were
recorded using 3D gait analysis. Walking ability was assessed through the 10-m
walk test and the 6-min walk test. All assessments were performed with and
without the assistance of functional electrical stimulation. The effect of
functional electrical stimulation was analysed using paired t-tests. RESULTS:
Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (p = 0.026), knee flexion at initial
contact (p = 0.044) and peak knee flexion during swing (p = 0.011) were
significantly greater whilst walking with Functional Electrical Stimulation. The
increased peak dorsiflexion in swing of nearly 4 degrees during functional
electrical stimulation assisted walking approached significance (p = 0.069). The
10-m walk time was significantly improved by functional electrical stimulation (p
= 0.004) but the 6 min walk test was not. CONCLUSION: The acute application of
functional electrical stimulation resulted in an orthotic effect through a change
in ankle and knee kinematics and increased walking speed over a short distance in
people with multiple sclerosis who experience foot drop.

Langue : ANGLAIS