Comparison Of Effects On Post-stroke Patients With Foot Drop By Functional Electrical Stimulation And Electromyographic Biofeedback

[Objectives]1. To compare the effects of FES and EMG-BF in improving the lower extremity function of post-stroke patients with foot drop.2. To provide an objective basis for clinical treatment of FES on post-stroke patients with foot drop.[Methods]In a randomized controlled trial,21 post-stroke patients with foot drop were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups:FES group or EMG-BF group.18 subjects completing the study receiving standard rehabilitation with FES (trial) or EMG-BF (control). FES and EMG-BF were applied 20 min, twice per day and 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements included Modified Ashworth Spasticity Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Function (FMA), Recovery Stage of Brunnstrom (RSB), Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) and 10-meter walk test (10mWT). Measures were taken on admission,2 weeks later and 4 weeks later. All the measurements were analyzed with SPSS version 17.0, and the statistical significance was set at the 5% level.[Results]1. Demographic data No significant difference was found in gender, age, the kind of stroke, and time since stroke between two group (p>0.05), indicating that the baselines of two groups were comparable.2. Before treatment No significant difference was found in the score of MAS, FMA, RSB, FAC and 1 OwWT between two group (p>0.05), indicating that the baselines of two groups were comparable.3. Comparison within the group Compared with before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment, there were significant differences found in score of FMA, RSB, FAC, and 10mWT in both groups. Compared with before treatment, after 2 weeks treatment, there were significant differences found in score of MAS in both groups and after 4 weeks treatment in score of MAS with control group (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the score of MAS with FES group after 4 weeks treatment (P>0.05).4. Comparison between groups After 2 weeks treatment, there were significant differences found in score of FMA and 10mWT between 2 groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the score of RSB, FAC and MAS between 2 groups (p>0.05). After 4 weeks treatment, there were significant differences found in score of FMA and 10m WT between 2 groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the score of RSB, FAC and MAS between 2 groups (p>0.05).[Conclusions]1. FES could delay the increase of muscular tension of the lower extremity in post-stroke patients with foot drop.2. FES could improve the motor function and walking speed of the lower extremity in post-stroke patients with foot drop, and the effects is better than that EMG-BF could.