Article

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and the effects of functional
electrical stimulated cycling (FES cycling) in patients with spinal cord injury
during their rehabilitation in a special acute care unit. Thirty patients [10
with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A, three
with AIS grade B, 15 with AIS grade C, two with AIS grade D] aged 44+/-15.5 years
and 2 (median) (interquartile range, 1.0-4.25) months after spinal cord injury
were included in the study. The patients participated in a 20-min FES-cycling
program 2 days per week for 4 weeks during their acute inpatient rehabilitation.
The influence on muscle cross-section, muscle and leg circumference, spasticity,
and the walking ability parameter (distance, time, aids) was measured. Muscle
stimulation intensity and output parameters (pedalling time and distance) were
also recorded. Spasticity decreased during hip abduction and adduction (70 and
98.1%, respectively). Spasticity during knee flexion and knee extension decreased
by 66.8 and 76.6%, and a decrease was found during dorsal foot extension (67.8%;
for all, P<0.05). Presession-postsession comparisons showed that after 4 weeks of
FES cycling, an increase in the circumference of the cross-sectional area of
15.3% on the left and of 17% on the right m. rectus femoris could be observed in
group AIS A+B. In the AIS C+D group, the circumference of the left m. rectus
femoris increased by 25% and that of the right m. rectus femoris by 21% (for all,
P<0.05). The results of the study show that FES cycling in combination with
function-oriented physiotherapy and occupational therapy can have a positive
influence on spasticity, walking ability, and muscular reactivation. It seems to
support circulatory processes within the rehabilitation of paraplegics already
after a 4-week intervention.

Langue : ANGLAIS