Article

The aims of this study were: (i) to compare the neuro-prosthetic
effect of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation to the orthotic effect of a
standard of care intervention (no device, shoe or ankle foot orthosis) on
walking, as assessed by spatiotemporal parameters; and (ii) to examine whether
there is evidence of an enhanced lower-limb flexion reflex with peroneal nerve
stimulation and compare the kinematic effect of an implantable peroneal nerve
stimulation device vs standard of care intervention on initial loading response
of the paretic limb, as assessed by hip, knee and ankle kinematics. DESIGN:
Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 23 chronic stroke survivors
with drop foot. METHODS: The intervention group received an implantable 2-channel
peroneal nerve stimulator for correction of drop foot. The control group
continued using a conventional walking device. Spatiotemporal parameters and hip,
knee and ankle kinematics were measured while subjects walked with the device on
using a 3-dimensional video camera system during baseline and after a follow-up
period of 26 weeks. RESULTS: Peroneal nerve stimulation normalized stance and
double support of the paretic limb and single support of the non-paretic limb, in
comparison with using a conventional walking device. In addition, peroneal nerve
stimulation is more effective to provide ankle dorsiflexion during swing and
resulted in a normalized initial loading response. CONCLUSION: Although peroneal
nerve stimulation and ankle foot orthosis are both prescribed to correct a drop
foot in the same patient population, spatiotemporal parameters, dorsiflexion
during swing and loading response are influenced in a functionally different way.

Langue : ANGLAIS