Functional electrical stimulation early after stroke improves lower limb motor function and ability in activities of daily living

BACKGROUND: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) to patients early after stroke has been proved to improve walking ability. The effects on abilities in activities of daily living (ADL) are not clear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of FES in improving lower limb function and ability in ADL of early stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven stroke patients were randomly allocated to standard rehabilitation (SR) group (n = 18), and FES group with FES and SR (n = 19). SR included 60 minutes each for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. FES was delivered for 30 min to induce ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. Treatments were 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Evaluations including the composite spasticity scale (CSS), lower-extremity subscale of Fugl-Myer Assessment (FMA), postural assessment scale for stroke patients (PASS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and modified Barthel Index (MBI) assessed before treatment, after 2 and 3 week treatment respectively. RESULTS: After 2 week treatment, FES group showed a significant reduction of CSS and improvements of FMA, MBI and PASS. After 3 week treatment, FES group showed a further reduction of CSS and also improvement of FMA, MBI and BBS as well. CONCLUSIONS: FES on the paretic lower limbs early after stroke improved the mobility and ability in ADL.