The Effects of Electrical Stimulation Gait Training in the Child with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The effects of electrical stimulation (ES) applied to the ankle musculature while walking on lower limb coordination and on muscle activation were assessed in a child with cerebral palsy (CP) when walking without ES. Three-dimensional lower extremity joint motion and surface electromyographic (EMG) data from the lower extremity muscles were collected before and after a 20-week gait training protocol with surface stimulation of the left dorsiflexors. Results of this preliminary investigation demonstrated carry-over effects of ES on joint coordination and muscle activity, with patterns approaching those of children with typical development (TD). Further, the use of ES appeared to affect the antagonistic muscle to which the ES was applied, which may have important implications for future training programs with ES