Felipe Covarrubias-Escudero, Juan Pablo Appelgren-Gonzalez, Gustavo Nuñez-Saavedra, Denisse Urrea-Baeza, Gonzalo Varas-Diaz
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and purpose: Stroke often causes muscle weakness, reduced motor control, and gait abnormalities, such as foot drop and propulsion deficits, which impair weight transfer and walking efficiency. Traditional interventions such as ankle-foot orthoses and botulinum toxin address these impairments but often fail to activate the muscles involved in propulsion. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has shown potential to enhance muscle activation and gait speed, but its effects on biomechanical parameters, particularly on step-to-step transitions, remain insufficiently explored.
Methods: A randomized crossover design included 18 individuals with stroke who walked with and without functional electrical stimulation (FES). Kinematic data and ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded to evaluate step-to-step transitions. Outcome measures included the minimum vertical velocity (Vvmin) of the center of mass (CoM) and the force ratio (FRatio) between the back foot (Fback) and front foot (Ffront).
Results: FES significantly reduced the force ratio (FRatio) (p < 0.001), indicating improved force distribution toward the back foot. The minimum vertical velocity (Vvmin) of the center of mass (CoM) occurred earlier with FES (0.470 ± 0.032) compared with No FES (0.513 ± 0.033; p < 0.001), demonstrating enhanced control of CoM redirection during gait.
Discussion: FES applied to specific lower limb muscles improved critical biomechanical gait parameters, including enhanced force distribution and better control of the center of mass (CoM). These findings suggest that FES can optimize gait mechanics, particularly during step-to-step transitions, and improve walking efficiency in individuals with stroke. Further research is needed to assess its long-term effects and explore its integration into rehabilitation protocols.
Trial registration: The study was registered with Clinical Trials.gov (NCT06237972).
期刊介绍:
Physiotherapy Research International is an international peer reviewed journal dedicated to the exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to specialist areas of physiotherapy theory, practice, and research. Our aim is to promote a high level of scholarship and build on the current evidence base to inform the advancement of the physiotherapy profession. We publish original research on a wide range of topics e.g. Primary research testing new physiotherapy treatments; methodological research; measurement and outcome research and qualitative research of interest to researchers, clinicians and educators. Further, we aim to publish high quality papers that represent the range of cultures and settings where physiotherapy services are delivered. We attract a wide readership from physiotherapists and others working in diverse clinical and academic settings. We aim to promote an international debate amongst the profession about current best evidence based practice. Papers are directed primarily towards the physiotherapy profession, but can be relevant to a wide range of professional groups. The growth of interdisciplinary research is also key to our aims and scope, and we encourage relevant submissions from other professional groups. The journal actively encourages submissions which utilise a breadth of different methodologies and research designs to facilitate addressing key questions related to the physiotherapy practice. PRI seeks to encourage good quality topical debates on a range of relevant issues and promote critical reflection on decision making and implementation of physiotherapy interventions.