Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and safety of implementing a 12-week
locomotor intervention targeting paretic propulsion deficits during walking
through the joining of 2 independent interventions, walking at maximal speed on a
treadmill and functional electrical stimulation of the paretic ankle musculature
(FastFES); to determine the effects of FastFES training on individual subjects;
and to determine the influence of baseline impairment severity on treatment
outcomes. DESIGN: Single group pre-post preliminary study investigating a novel
locomotor intervention. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals
(N=13) with locomotor deficits after stroke. INTERVENTION: FastFES training was
provided for 12 weeks at a frequency of 3 sessions per week and 30 minutes per
session. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of gait mechanics, functional balance,
short- and long-distance walking function, and self-perceived participation were
collected at baseline, posttraining, and 3-month follow-up evaluations. Changes
after treatment were assessed using pairwise comparisons and compared with known
minimal clinically important differences or minimal detectable changes.
Correlation analyses were run to determine the correlation between baseline
clinical and biomechanical performance versus improvements in walking speed.
RESULTS: Twelve of the 13 subjects that were recruited completed the training.
Improvements in paretic propulsion were accompanied by improvements in functional
balance, walking function, and self-perceived participation (each P<.02)-all of
which were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Eleven of the 12 subjects achieved
meaningful functional improvements. Baseline impairment was predictive of
absolute, but not relative, functional change after training. CONCLUSIONS: This
report demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the FastFES intervention and
supports further study of this promising locomotor intervention for persons
poststroke.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS