Cyclic movement training combined with functional electrical stimulation can improve the lower limb motor function of stroke survivors and their ability in daily life activities / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To quantify any therapeutic effect of cyclic movement training combined with functional electrical stimulation for improving lower limb motor function and ability in the activities of daily life after stroke.Methods Seventy stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group,each of 35.Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation,including cyclic training,but the experimental group was additionally provided with functional electrical stimulation of the quadriceps,hamstrings,anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius at the affected side.Before and after four weeks of treatment the Fugl-Meyer lower limb (FMA-L) and balance (FMA-B) assessments were performed and a modified Barthel index (MBI) was assigned to each subject to quantify functioning.Results Before the treatment,no significant differences were observed between the two groups in any of the measurements.But after four weeks of treatment the average FMA-L,FMA-B and MBI scores of the experimental group were all significantly better than before the treatment and significantly better than the control group's averages.Conclusion Cyclic movement training combined with functional electrical stimulation can improve the lower limb motor function of stroke survivors and their ability in the activities of daily life.