Chronic electrical stimulation for the modification of spasticity in hemiplegic patients.

The effects of long-term electrical stimulation on reflex hyperactivity and voluntary muscle control were studied. Eight hemiplegic patients with implanted peroneal stimulator were included. After six months of functional electrical stimulation (FES) there was a decrease of tonic activity in both tibialis anterior and triceps surae muscles. The phasic stretch reflex activity in the stimulated tibialis anterior muscle increased. The resulting resistance during passive movements decreased due to diminution of tonic activity. The absence of tonic activity also resulted in improvement of voluntary control, particularly in the tibialis anterior muscle.