RESUMEN
Functional movements can be restored after stroke by portable neuroelectric stimulator controlled by the patient. This field of activity is called functional electrical stimulation (FES). A common example of FES is electric stimulation of the peroneal to prevent dropfoot. A more sophisticated multichannel enables stimulation of more than one paralyzed muscle of the leg. This system is used temporarily to facilitate recovery of muscle function following stroke. Upper extremity FES systems have proven more difficult to develop than lower extremity systems designed to improve walking. A single-channel hand stimulator is available to assist finger movements.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/rehabilitación , Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica , Aparatos Ortopédicos/instrumentación , Tirantes , Humanos , Centros de Rehabilitación , YugoslaviaRESUMEN
Fourteen paraplegic patients were studied during ambulation training, 11 with pneumatic orthoses and with conventional metal orthoses, and 3 with pneumatic orthoses only. The purposes of the study were to establish whether pneumatic orthoses could be used by paraplegic patients for effective ambulation, whether these devices presented any advantages or disadvantages over conventional orthoses and how their use would affect the expected level of rehabilitation and independence. As far as application, standing up, sitting down and ambulation within a rehabilitation center are concerned, similar skills and levels of independence were obtained with both types of orthoses. Reduced tendency for orthostatic hypotension, availability, light weight and better endurance make the pneumatic orthosis especially suitable for early ambulation training, but several mechanical problems, mainly its inflation with motorized and heavy compressor units, limit its usefulness for community ambulation.