Article

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) to patients early after
stroke has been proved to improve walking ability. The effects on abilities in
activities of daily living (ADL) are not clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the
effectiveness of FES in improving lower limb function and ability in ADL of early
stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven stroke patients were randomly allocated to
standard rehabilitation (SR) group (n = 18), and FES group with FES and SR (n =
19). SR included 60 minutes each for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. FES
was delivered for 30 min to induce ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. Treatments
were 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Evaluations including the composite spasticity
scale (CSS), lower-extremity subscale of Fugl-Myer Assessment (FMA), postural
assessment scale for stroke patients (PASS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and
modified Barthel Index (MBI) assessed before treatment, after 2 and 3 week
treatment respectively. RESULTS: After 2 week treatment, FES group showed a
significant reduction of CSS and improvements of FMA, MBI and PASS. After 3 week
treatment, FES group showed a further reduction of CSS and also improvement of
FMA, MBI and BBS as well. CONCLUSIONS: FES on the paretic lower limbs early after
stroke improved the mobility and ability in ADL.

Langue : ANGLAIS