Effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation on walking speed, functional walking category, and clinically meaningful changes for people with multiple sclerosis

Authors: Street, T., Taylor, P. and Swain, I.

Journal: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Volume: 96

Issue: 4

Pages: 667-672

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.11.017

Abstract:

Objective To determine the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on drop foot in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), using data from standard clinical practice. Design Case series with a consecutive sample of FES users collected between 2008 and 2013. Setting Specialist FES center at a district general hospital. Participants Patients with MS who have drop foot (N=187) (117 women, 70 men; mean age, 55y [range, 27-80y]; mean duration since diagnosis, 11.7y [range, 1-56y]). A total of 166 patients were still using FES after 20 weeks, with 153 patients completing the follow-up measures. Interventions FES of the common peroneal nerve (178 unilateral, 9 bilateral FES users). Main Outcome Measures Clinically meaningful changes (ie, >.05m/s and >0.1m/s) and functional walking category derived from 10-m walking speed. Results An increase in walking speed was found to be highly significant (P<.001), both initially where a minimum clinically meaningful change was observed (.07m/s) and after 20 weeks with a substantial clinically meaningful change (.11m/s). After 20 weeks, treatment responders displayed a 27% average improvement in their walking speed. No significant training effect was found. Overall functional walking category was maintained or improved in 95% of treatment responders. Conclusions FES of the dorsiflexors is a well-accepted intervention that enables clinically meaningful changes in walking speed, leading to a preserved or an increased functional walking category.

Source: Scopus

Effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation on walking speed, functional walking category, and clinically meaningful changes for people with multiple sclerosis.

Authors: Street, T., Taylor, P. and Swain, I.

Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Volume: 96

Issue: 4

Pages: 667-672

eISSN: 1532-821X

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.11.017

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on drop foot in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), using data from standard clinical practice. DESIGN: Case series with a consecutive sample of FES users collected between 2008 and 2013. SETTING: Specialist FES center at a district general hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with MS who have drop foot (N=187) (117 women, 70 men; mean age, 55y [range, 27-80y]; mean duration since diagnosis, 11.7y [range, 1-56y]). A total of 166 patients were still using FES after 20 weeks, with 153 patients completing the follow-up measures. INTERVENTIONS: FES of the common peroneal nerve (178 unilateral, 9 bilateral FES users). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinically meaningful changes (ie, >.05m/s and >0.1m/s) and functional walking category derived from 10-m walking speed. RESULTS: An increase in walking speed was found to be highly significant (P<.001), both initially where a minimum clinically meaningful change was observed (.07m/s) and after 20 weeks with a substantial clinically meaningful change (.11m/s). After 20 weeks, treatment responders displayed a 27% average improvement in their walking speed. No significant training effect was found. Overall functional walking category was maintained or improved in 95% of treatment responders. CONCLUSIONS: FES of the dorsiflexors is a well-accepted intervention that enables clinically meaningful changes in walking speed, leading to a preserved or an increased functional walking category.

Source: PubMed

Effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Walking Speed, Functional Walking Category, and Clinically Meaningful Changes for People With Multiple Sclerosis

Authors: Street, T., Taylor, P. and Swain, I.

Journal: ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION

Volume: 96

Issue: 4

Pages: 667-672

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.11.017

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation on walking speed, functional walking category, and clinically meaningful changes for people with multiple sclerosis.

Authors: Street, T., Taylor, P. and Swain, I.

Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation

Volume: 96

Issue: 4

Pages: 667-672

eISSN: 1532-821X

ISSN: 0003-9993

DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.11.017

Abstract:

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on drop foot in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), using data from standard clinical practice.

Design

Case series with a consecutive sample of FES users collected between 2008 and 2013.

Setting

Specialist FES center at a district general hospital.

Participants

Patients with MS who have drop foot (N=187) (117 women, 70 men; mean age, 55y [range, 27-80y]; mean duration since diagnosis, 11.7y [range, 1-56y]). A total of 166 patients were still using FES after 20 weeks, with 153 patients completing the follow-up measures.

Interventions

FES of the common peroneal nerve (178 unilateral, 9 bilateral FES users).

Main outcome measures

Clinically meaningful changes (ie, >.05m/s and >0.1m/s) and functional walking category derived from 10-m walking speed.

Results

An increase in walking speed was found to be highly significant (P<.001), both initially where a minimum clinically meaningful change was observed (.07m/s) and after 20 weeks with a substantial clinically meaningful change (.11m/s). After 20 weeks, treatment responders displayed a 27% average improvement in their walking speed. No significant training effect was found. Overall functional walking category was maintained or improved in 95% of treatment responders.

Conclusions

FES of the dorsiflexors is a well-accepted intervention that enables clinically meaningful changes in walking speed, leading to a preserved or an increased functional walking category.

Source: Europe PubMed Central