Article

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether community-dwelling
chronic stroke patients wearing an ankle-foot orthosis would benefit from
changing to functional electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve. METHODS: In
26 community-dwelling chronic
(> 6 months post-onset) patients after stroke,
their ankle-foot orthosis was replaced by a surface-based functional electrical
stimulation device (NESS L300). Comfortable walking speed over 10 m was measured
at baseline with the ankle-foot orthosis and after 2 and 8 weeks with both
ankle-foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation. The level of physical
activity was assessed with a pedometer, and patients' satisfaction was assessed
with a questionnaire at baseline and at week 8 regarding ankle-foot orthosis and
functional electrical stimulation, respectively. RESULTS:
Ankle-foot orthosis and
functional electrical stimulation were equally effective with regard to walking
speed and activity level. The participants were more satisfied with functional
electrical stimulation than with their ankle-foot orthosis regarding the effort
and stability of walking, quality of the gait pattern, walking distance, comfort
of wearing and appearance of the device. CONCLUSION:
The patients judged
functional electrical stimulation superior to their ankle-foot orthosis, but
measurements of walking speed and physical activity could not objectify the
experienced benefits of functional electrical stimulation. Other outcome measures
focusing on the stability and effort of ambulation may objectify the perceived
benefits of functional electrical stimulation in community-dwelling chronic stroke patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS