Article

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of contralaterally
controlled neuromuscular electrical stimulation (CCNMES) vs. cyclic neuromuscular
electrical stimulation (NMES)
on lower extremity impairment, functional
ambulation, and gait characteristics. DESIGN: Twenty-six survivors of stroke with
chronic (>/=6 mos) foot drop during ambulation were randomly assigned to 6 wks of
CCNMES or cyclic NMES.
Both groups had ten sessions per week of self-administered
home application of either CCNMES or cyclic NMES plus two sessions per week of
gait training with a physical therapist. Primary outcomes included lower
extremity Fugl-Meyer score, modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile, and
gait velocity. Assessments were made at pretreatment and posttreatment and at 1
and 3 mos after treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between
the groups in the outcome trajectories for any of the measures. With data from
both groups pooled, there were significant but modest and sustained improvements
in the Fugl-Meyer score and the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile but
not in gait velocity. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that gait
training combined with either CCNMES or cyclic NMES reduces lower extremity
impairment and functional ambulation but do not support the hypothesis that CCNMES is more effective than cyclic NMES in patients with chronic post-stroke
hemiplegia.

Langue : ANGLAIS