Restoration of gait and motor recovery by functional electrical stimulation therapy in persons with stroke

Purpose.?To evaluate the clinical efficacy of functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle on gait restoration and enhancing motor recovery with stroke patients.

Method.?Thirty hemiparetic participants with spastic foot-drop impairments who were at least 3 months post-stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation institute and were assigned either to a control group or a FES group. Both the groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program for 60?min per day, 5 days a week, for 12-weeks. The FES group received the electrical stimulation to the TA muscle for correction of foot-drop.

Results.?Functional electric stimulation (FES) resulted in a 26.3% (p?<?0.001) improvement of walking speed measured with 10-m walkway, whereas the improvement in the control group was only 11.5% (p?<?0.01). The FES group also showed significantly greater improvements compared to control group in other gait parameters (e.g. cadence, step length), physiological cost index (PCI), ankle range of motion, spasticity of calf muscle, Fugl–Meyer scores, and the maximum value of the root mean square (RMS_max), which reflects the capacity of the muscle output.

Conclusions.?These findings suggest that, the FES therapy combined with conventional therapy treatment more effectively improves the walking ability and enhances the motor recovery when compared with conventional therapy alone in stroke survivors.     

理筋手法结合功能训练治疗膝骨关节炎的步态特征研究

目的:对膝骨关节炎患者下肢步行能力进行步态分析评定,探讨理筋手法及功能训练的康复效果.方法:应用三维红外步态分析设备,分析了81例(男36例,女45例)膝骨关节炎患者在理筋手法和功能训练干预前后平衡能力和步行效率的变化情况.结果:理筋手法+功能训练组患者的步长、步速、双支撑相等指标疗后明显改善,与单纯理筋手法组的差异有...     

Association between pain and gait instability in patients with lumbar disc herniation

ObjectiveTo determine whether pain is associated with gait instability in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study used data from electronic medical records. Among patients with lumbar back pain caused by LDH between January 2017 and July 2019, patients that underwent gait analysis were included. LDH was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging. An OptoGait photoelectric cell system was used for gait evaluation. Instability was measured using a gait symmetry index. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between lumbar pain and gait instability.ResultsA total of 29 patients (12 females [41.4%] and 17 males [58.6%]; mean ± SD age, 40.6 ± 12.0 years) with LDH were enrolled in the study. With each 1-point increase in lumbar pain on the numeric rating scale, the symmetry index of the stance phase (0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04, 0.62), swing phase (0.78; 95% CI 0.14, 1.43) and single support (0.79; 95% CI 0.15, 1.43) increased.ConclusionsGait instability in patients with LDH may occur due to an increase in pain.     

高能量激光联合本体感觉神经肌肉促进技术对脑卒中后肩痛的影响研究

目的:观察高能量激光联合本体感觉神经肌肉促进技术(PNF)对脑卒中后肩痛的影响。方法:脑卒中肩痛患者60例被随机分为A组、B组和C组,每组20例。3组患者均接受常规肩痛康复治疗,A组加用高能量激光治疗,B组加用PNF治疗,C组加用高能量激光联合PNF治疗。于治疗前和治疗3周后,分别采用简化McGill疼痛问卷评估肩痛,Fugl-Meyer评定量表评估上肢功能,改良Bathel指数评估日常生活活动能力。结果:治疗3周后,3组McGill疼痛评分校治疗前明显降低(P0.01),C组更高于A、B组(P0.01),A、B组之间差异无统计学意义,但B组治疗前后差值明显大于A组(P0.01)。治疗后,3组Fugl-Meyer上肢功能评分和改良Bathel指数评分较治疗前明显提高(P0.01),C组上述各评分明显高于A组和B组(P0.01),B组高于A组(P0.01)。结论:高能量激光联合PNF治疗可明显减轻脑卒中后肩痛程度,改善肩关节运动控制能力,提高患者日常生活活动能力。     

运动想象结合下肢康复机器人训练对脑卒中患者步行障碍的影响

摘要 目的：探讨运动想象结合Lokomat下肢康复机器人训练对脑卒中患者步行障碍的影响。 方法：40例脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为两组,观察组和对照组各组20例,两组均进行基础康复治疗,包括神经发育疗法、主/被动牵伸、日常生活活动（ADL）训练、必要的矫形器应用、传统中医治疗等。观察组：第一疗程（4周）,在基础治疗的基础上进行Lokomat下肢康复机器人辅助步行训练,治疗强度和时间长度是40%的减重支持,75%的引导力量,1.5km/h的步行速度,步行持续时间30min/次,1次/d,5次/周;第二疗程（4周）,在基础治疗的基础上进行运动想象结合Lokomat下肢康复机器人辅助步行训练,治疗强度和时间长度是40%的减重支持,75%的引导力量,1.5km/h的步行速度,步行持续时间30min/次,1次/d,5次/周;对照组患者在基础治疗的基础上进行30min以提高步行能力为目标的治疗师辅助步行训练,1次/d,5次/周,为期8周。在治疗前、治疗4周后、治疗8周后分别采用Fugl-Meyer下肢评定表(FMA-LE)、改良Ashworth痉挛评价下肢肌痉挛（MAS）、功能性步行量表（FAC）和6min步行能力测试(6MWT)、采用Berg平衡量表（BBS）进行评定。 结果：治疗8周后,两组患者的FMA-LE评分、MAS、FAC、6MWT和BBS均较治疗前明显提高(P<0.05),观察组各项评定得分与对照组比较均具有显著差异(P<0.01);观察组第一、第二疗程各项评定得分与对照组比较均具有显著差异(P<0.01);此外,对照组患者2个疗程各项评定得分改善值差异无显著性（P＞0.05）,而观察组患者第二疗程的各项评定得分改善值高于第一疗程（P＜0.05）。 结论：应用运动想象结合Lokomat下肢康复机器人训练能更有效改善脑卒中患者的步行能力,且疗效高于单用Lokomat下肢康复机器人训练。     

Physical functioning of low back pain patients: perceived physical functioning and functional capacity,but not physical activity is affected

Abstract

Purpose: Physical functioning is a multidimensional construct covering perceived functioning, functional capacity and actual physical activity. Currently, the assessment of physical functioning in low back pain (LBP) patients has been limited to only one or two of these aspects. This study evaluates physical functioning of LBP patients by assessing the three individual aspects using questionnaires and ambulant sensor-based measurements. Methods: Actual physical activity, functional capacity and perceived functioning were measured in 26 patients undergoing patient specific treatment before, direct and 3–4 weeks after the first treatment using, respectively, sensor-based activity monitoring, sensor-based motion analysis test and the Oswestry questionnaire. Patients were compared to a healthy control group. Results: Perceived functioning and functional capacity, but not actual physical activity is impaired in pre-treatment LBP patients. After treatment, patients improved in perceived physical functioning and functional capacity approaching healthy levels, however only slight (p?>?0.05) improvements in actual physical activity were found. Moreover, only few and weak correlations were found between the different aspects of physical functioning. Conclusion: Perceived functioning, actual physical activity and functional capacity are three independent outcome dimensions, being complementary but not redundant. Especially, perceived functioning and physical capacity need attention when evaluating LBP patients during rehabilitation.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Perceived physical functioning and physical capacity are negatively affected by low back pain and improve after treatment.

• Low back pain patients perform their daily activity independent of pain and complaints.

• Inertia sensor-based motion analysis can objectify treatment effects showing low back pain patients their progress in rehabilitation.

• New interventions can be justified with inertia sensor technology in low back pain patients.

     

Comparing self-report, clinical examination and functional testing in the assessment of work-related limitations in patients with chronic low back pain

Purpose. To compare the work-related limitations assessed using self-report, clinical examination and functional testing in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods. Work-related limitations of 92 patients were assessed using self-report, clinical examination and functional testing. To obtain the assessed limitations the patient (self-report), the physician (clinical examination) and a trained evaluator (functional testing) completed a scorings form about the work-related limitations of the patient. The Isernhagen Work Systems Functional Capacity Evaluation (IWS FCE) was used to obtain the functional testing results. A κ value of more than 0.60, absolute agreement of more than 80% and ICC of more than 0.75 were considered as acceptable.

Results. Little agreement and correlation among self-report, clinical examination and functional testing were found for the assessment of work-related limitations. Self-reported limitations were considerably higher than from those derived from clinical examination or functional testing. Additionally, the limitations derived from the clinical examination were higher than those derived from the IWS FCE.

Conclusion. Comparing self-report, clinical examination and functional testing for assessing work-related limitations in CLBP patients showed large considerable differences in limitations. Professional health care workers should be aware of these differences when using them in daily practice.     

Comparing self-report,clinical examination and functional testing in the assessment of work-related limitations in patients with chronic low back pain

Purpose.?To compare the work-related limitations assessed using self-report, clinical examination and functional testing in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods.?Work-related limitations of 92 patients were assessed using self-report, clinical examination and functional testing. To obtain the assessed limitations the patient (self-report), the physician (clinical examination) and a trained evaluator (functional testing) completed a scorings form about the work-related limitations of the patient. The Isernhagen Work Systems Functional Capacity Evaluation (IWS FCE) was used to obtain the functional testing results. A κ value of more than 0.60, absolute agreement of more than 80% and ICC of more than 0.75 were considered as acceptable.

Results.?Little agreement and correlation among self-report, clinical examination and functional testing were found for the assessment of work-related limitations. Self-reported limitations were considerably higher than from those derived from clinical examination or functional testing. Additionally, the limitations derived from the clinical examination were higher than those derived from the IWS FCE.

Conclusion.?Comparing self-report, clinical examination and functional testing for assessing work-related limitations in CLBP patients showed large considerable differences in limitations. Professional health care workers should be aware of these differences when using them in daily practice.     

Orthotic and therapeutic effect of functional electrical stimulation on fatigue induced gait patterns in people with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: To assess the orthotic and therapeutic effects of prolonged use of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on fatigue induced gait patterns in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: Thirteen people with MS completed 3D gait analysis with FES off and on, before and after a fatiguing 6-minute walk, at baseline and after 8 weeks of use of FES. Results: Eleven participants completed all testing. An orthotic effect on gait was not evident on first use of FES. However, therapeutic effects on gait after 8 weeks use were generally positive, including increases in walking speed due to improved neuromuscular control and power generated at the hip and ankle of the more affected limb. The action of FES alone was not sufficient to overcome all fatigue related deficits in gait but there was evidence 8 weeks use of FES can ameliorate some fatigue effects on lower limb kinetics, including benefits to ankle mechanics involved in generating power around push-off during stance. Conclusions: Eight-weeks of FES can benefit the gait pattern of people with MS under non-fatigued and fatigued conditions.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• In some people with MS prolonged use of FES may be necessary before observing positive orthotic effects.

• Improvements in the neuromuscular control of the more affected lower limb may develop with prolonged use of FES in people with MS.

• Only some therapeutic benefits of FES are maintained during fatigued walking in people with MS.

• FES may be considered as a gait retraining device as well as an orthotic intervention for people with MS.

     

Lokomat下肢康复机器人对改善帕金森病患者步行能力的疗效研究

目的:观察Lokomat下肢康复机器人对改善帕金森疾病患者步行能力的临床疗效。方法:将40例帕金森疾病患者随机分成对照组和观察组各20例。2组均接受常规康复训练,观察组在此基础上进行Lokomat下肢康复机器人步行训练,步行持续时间30min/次,1次/d,5次/周。在治疗前后分别采用Berg平衡量表(BBS)评定平衡功能、计时起立-行走测试(TUGT)评定功能性步行能力及预测跌倒风险、6min步行测试(6MWT)评价步行耐力。结果:治疗10周后,观察组BBS、6MWT较治疗前及对照组明显提高(P0.05),TUGT较治疗前及对照组明显降低(P0.05);对照组BBS评分较治疗前提高(P0.05),6MWT及TUGT评分治疗前后比较差异无统计学意义。结论:Lokomat下肢康复机器人辅助步行训练可提高帕金森疾病患者平衡能力和提高步行能力,是治疗帕金森病患者步行障碍的有效方法。     

功能性电刺激结合快速步行训练对脑卒中偏瘫患者功能的影响

目的:观察功能性电刺激结合快速步行训练对脑卒中偏瘫后遗症期患者社区性步行能力及生理耗能的影响。方法:将30例脑卒中偏瘫足下垂患者随机分为观察组和对照组各15例,均接受神经内科常规药物及康复功能训练;观察组采用功能性电刺激(FES)结合快速步行训练,FES刺激患侧腓总神经和胫前肌;对照组采用常规的减重跑台快速步行训练。分别在治疗前、治疗后评定6分钟步行距离(6MWD)及生理耗能指数(PCI)。结果:治疗4周后,2组PCI较治疗前有显著降低(P0.05),6MWD均较治疗前显著增加(P0.05);静息心率治疗前后比较差值无统计学意义。2组治疗后,观察组的PCI明显低于对照组(P0.05),而6MWD、静息心率组间差异无统计学意义。结论:功能性电刺激结合快速步行训练和传统的减重跑台快速步行训练都能够显著改善脑卒中偏瘫后遗症期患者的社区性步行能力及生理耗能;功能性电刺激结合快速步行训练降低生理耗能更明显。     

功能电刺激治疗脑卒中足下垂合并内翻的疗效观察

目的:观察动作反馈的功能性电刺激(FES)对脑卒中足下垂合并足内翻患者下肢运动功能和步行能力的影响。方法:脑卒中足下垂合并足内翻患者34例,随机分为观察组和对照组各17例,2组均进行基础康复治疗,观察组另行功能电刺激下20min步行训练,对照组行相同时间的常规步行训练。在康复治疗前和治疗4周后采用Fug1-Meyer量表下肢部分(FMA-LE)、起立-行走计时测试(TUGT)、徒手肌力测试(MMT)和改良Ashworth量表(MAS)对两组患者进行功能评估;观察组另记录步态不对称指数(GAI)和非偏瘫侧摆动时间变异(STV)。结果:治疗4周后,观察组患者FMA-LE、TUGT、MMT、MAS、GAI和STV评分均较治疗前显著提高(P0.05),对照组TUGT及MMT评分较治疗前明显提高(P0.05),其余各评分治疗前后比较均差异无统计学意义;治疗后组间比较,观察组FMA-LE、TUGT和MAS评分均显著高于对照组(P0.05),但MMT评分组间比较差异无统计学意义。结论:动作反馈功能性电刺激能显著改善脑卒中足下垂合并足内翻患者的运动功能和步行能力,并能提高踝背屈肌力、缓解踝关节相关肌群痉挛。     

深层肌肉刺激疗法对痉挛型双瘫患儿步态的影响

目的:研究深层肌肉刺激疗法对痉挛型双瘫患儿步态的影响。方法:将32例痉挛型双瘫患儿随机分为观察组和对照组各16例。2组均进行常规康复训练,观察组在此基础上给予深层肌肉刺激治疗,分别于治疗前和治疗12周后使用三维步态分析仪进行步态分析。结果:治疗12周后,2组步幅、步速均较治疗前有明显增加(均P<0.05),且治疗后观察组患儿步幅、步速均较对照组高(均P<0.05),其余各项参数2组间比较均差异无统计学意义。2组髋关节最大伸展角度和踝关节最大跖屈角度均较治疗前明显增大(均P<0.05),观察组膝关节最大屈曲角度、踝关节最大跖屈角度均较对照组明显增大(均P<0.05),且观察组膝关节最大伸展角度较治疗前及对照组均明显增大(均P<0.05),其余各项参数在统计学上无显著性差异。结论:在常规康复疗法的基础上,应用深层肌肉刺激疗法能改善痉挛型双瘫患儿步态,是痉挛型双瘫患儿康复的一种有效方法和手段。     

步态诱发功能性电刺激对脑卒中后足下垂患者步态时空参数的影响

目的:采用步态分析,观察步态诱发功能性电刺激对脑卒中后足下垂患者步态时空参数的影响.方法:选择40例符合入选标准的脑卒中后足下垂患者,随机分组到实验组和对照组,均给予常规药物治疗及基本常规康复训练.实验组在此治疗基础上采用给予患侧下肢步态诱发功能性电刺激,根据患者踝关节背伸、内翻程度调节正负电极片位置及具体适应的刺激量30min/次,1次/d,每周6次,共3周.对照组在治疗期间不给予任何电刺激.采用三维步态分析仪器分别于治疗前、治疗3周后检测并获取两组患者步态参数.结果:治疗3周后,两组患者步速、步幅、步频、健侧摆动相均较治疗前明显均提高(P＜0.05),步态周期、步宽、双支撑相、患侧摆动相、健侧支撑相、患侧支撑相均较治疗前显著减小(P＜0.05).组间比较显示,治疗组患者的步行速度、步幅、步频、步行周期、步宽、双支撑相、改善程度均明显优于对照组(P＜0.05).两组患者对称性步态参数治疗前后差异显著,且实验组改善程度显著优于对照组(P＜0.05).结论:步态诱发功能性电刺激治疗能有效改善脑卒中后足下垂患者步速、步频、步行周期等时空参数,提高脑卒中后足下垂患者的步行能力及步态的对称性.     

帕金森病患者康复训练后步态改善及其与疼痛的相关性分析

目的:探讨在药物治疗基础上康复训练治疗步态障碍及疼痛的临床疗效以及步态与帕金森病疼痛相关性。方法:帕金森病伴疼痛患者55例随机分为训练组27例和对照组28例,2组均常规采用药物治疗,训练组加用床边康复训练及室内康复训练等方面康复训练干预综合锻炼步态及平衡功能,治疗前后采用UPDRS III评分、Berg平衡量表(BBS)、步态分析、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)等进行评定。结果:2周床边训练及4周室内步态平衡训练后,训练组患者步速、步长、髋关节屈曲最高角度、双支撑相、UPDRS III评分、BBS评分及VAS评分与治疗前比较均存在统计学差异(均P0.05);训练组患者在步速、髋关节屈曲最大角度、双支撑相、BBS评分及VAS评分与对照组比较存在统计学意义(均P0.05);对照组治疗前后各项指标比较差异无统计学意义。训练组患者髋关节屈曲最大角度与VAS疼痛评分、平衡能力存在相关性(r=-0.61、0.53,均P0.01);步速与VAS疼痛评分、平衡能力存在相关性(r=-0.48、0.69,P0.05、P0.01);双支撑相与平衡能力存在相关性(r=-0.71,P0.01);双支撑相与VAS疼痛评分之间相关性无统计学意义(r=0.37,P0.05)。结论:帕金森病药物治疗基础上配合有效的康复训练,可明显改善患者姿势及步态异常,同时有利于疼痛减轻,且步态与疼痛之间存在一定的相关性。     

Efficacy of isokinetic exercise on functional capacity and pain in patellofemoral pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an isokinetic exercise program on symptoms and functions of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. DESIGN: A total of 22 consecutive patients with the complaint of anterior knee pain who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to assess the efficacy of isokinetic exercise on functional capacity, isokinetic parameters, and pain scores in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A total of 37 knees were examined. Six-meter hopping, three-step hopping, and single-limb hopping course tests were performed for each patient with the measurements of the Lysholm scale and visual analog scale. Tested parameters were peak torque, total work, average power, and endurance ratios. RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed that at the end of the 6-wk treatment period, functional and isokinetic parameters improved significantly, as did pain scores. There was not statistically significant correlation between different groups of parameters. CONCLUSION: The isokinetic exercise treatment program used in this study prevented the extensor power loss due to patellofemoral pain syndrome, but the improvement in the functional capacity was not correlated with the gained power.     

An exploratory study of gait and functional outcomes after neuroprosthesis use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Purpose: To evaluate the immediate orthotic, total and therapeutic effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) neuroprosthesis use on clinic based measures of gait and function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods: Eleven children (mean 9 years 11 months) participated in an FES neuroprosthesis (Ness L300) intervention (4 week accommodation period followed by 12 weeks of daily use) and were assessed at baseline and post in stimulation off and stimulation on conditions. Measures included clinic based outcomes of gait and function.

Results: No significant immediate orthotic effects were observed. Significant (p?Conclusions: Results support previous findings of neuroprosthesis total effects on gait and provide some evidence for effects on function. Therapeutic effects remain unclear.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• In this study, children with hemiplegic CP did not demonstrate immediate improvements in gait or function at their first clinic visit using the FES neuroprosthesis device suggesting one visit using the device is not sufficient to determine potential benefits.

• Over time with daily use of the FES neuroprosthesis, ankle dorsiflexion in swing and at initial contact, walking speed and endurance increased with the device worn.

• Overtime, no carryover effects in ankle dorsiflexion in swing and at initial contact were noted at the end of the intervention period with the device off.

• Clinicians should consider purchasing units to loan or rent to individuals to trial a device at home before determining long-term potential for benefit.

     

功能性电刺激辅助步行设备对脑卒中足下垂患者步态时空参数的影响

目的:观察应用功能性电刺激辅助步行设备(FES-AWD)对脑卒中足下垂患者步态时空参数的影响,为临床治疗提供理论依据.方法:9例脑卒中足下垂患者在常规康复治疗基础上,增加步态训练矫正仪辅助下的步行训练,每天2次,每次20min,每周5d,共4周;分别于治疗开始前、治疗1周后和治疗4周后利用三维步态分析系统分析患者佩戴步态训练矫正仪前后的步态时-空参数.结果:①与自由步行相比,佩戴步态训练矫正仪(关闭开关)对患者的步态时空参数无显著影响;②3次访视中,与自由步行相比,佩戴步态训练矫正仪(开启开关)均能显著提升足下垂患者的步态时空参数.结论:FES-AWD可以即刻改善脑卒中足下垂患者的步态,且可以排除心理影响,以及佩戴设备所产生的各种不利生理影响.     

功能性步态评价应用于帕金森病患者的信度分析

目的:验证功能性步态评价(FGA)在帕金森病(PD)患者中的组间信度、重测信度、内部一致性及分半信度,为临床提供评价工具.方法:121例住院帕金森病患者(平均年龄61.9岁)入选.两名评价者同时评定PD患者的FGA表现,进行组间信度分析.评价过程同时记录为视频资料,4周后其中一名评定者对视频资料进行二次评价,进行重测信度分析.内部一致性信度采用克朗巴赫α系数来评价.分半信度:将FGA各单项以奇数项、偶数项分为两半,计算其分半信度.结果:FGA总分的组间信度和重测信度均为0.99,各单项组间信度波动于0.49-0.98之间,重测信度波动于0.91-0.99之间.FGA内部一致性Cronbach α为0.94,分半信度为0.97.结论:FGA用于评价PD患者的平衡及步态障碍,其组间信度、重测信度、内部一致性及分半信度极佳.