Article

Ankle dorsiflexion weakness that impedes walking affects some 30% of people after
a stroke, which increases the risk of falls and mortality. Recent advances in
functional electrical stimulation or electrical stimulation orthotic substitute
walking devices facilitate the use of surface electrode stimulation during
therapeutic gait training and as an orthotic substitute. However, many therapists
who could promote the use of these electrical stimulation orthotic substitute
devices are not doing so, possibly because of a lack of knowledge about the
devices and uncertainty about which patients could benefit from the devices but
also because of a lack of reimbursement by some insurance providers. In addition,
there is limited evidence about the efficacy of electrical stimulation orthotic
substitute devices for therapeutic use or as a substitute for a traditional
ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). This article provides clinicians with information to
guide them in the use of electrical stimulation orthotic substitute devices,
discusses current research about the use of electrical stimulation orthotic
substitute devices for therapeutic and orthotic purposes, and compares the use of
electrical stimulation orthotic substitute devices and AFOs. There is
insufficient evidence thus far to conclude that walking with an electrical
stimulation orthotic substitute device is superior to walking with an AFO, but
electrical stimulation orthotic substitute devices may be the optimal choice for
some patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS