Background: Stroke patients have dosiflexor weakness. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) for motor and sensory threshold stimulation has been applied to patients with stroke. Objectives: To investigate effects of FES intervention for motor and sensory threshold on balance and gait in subacute patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: In all, 34 patients with subacute stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to the motor threshold (MTG, n=17) and sensory threshold group (STG, n=17). The measured variables were static balance (BioRescue), dynamic balance (BBS), and gait (TUG test). The study period was 5 weeks, twice a day, 5 days a week. Results: There was a significant difference in all variables except the speed variable (open eye Romberg test) after the intervention; MTG improved more significantly except for the speed variable of the Romberg test (open eye). BBS score increased significantly only in the MTG group after the intervention, and the increase was more significant in the MTG group than in the STG group. The TUG test significantly decreased in both groups after the intervention, and the decrease was more significant in the MTG group than in the STG group. Conclusion: FES for motor threshold applied to patients with subacute stroke appears to be more effective in improving balance and gait ability than FES for sensory threshold.

Background: Stroke patients have weak trunk muscle strength due to brain injury, so a single type of exercise is advised for restoring functionality. However, even after intervention, the problem still lies and it is suggested that another intervention method should be applied with exercise in order to deal with such problem. Objectives: To Investigate the effect of bridge exercise combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on trunk muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: From July to August 2020, twenty stroke patients was sampled, ten patients who mediated bridge exercises combined with functional electrical stimulation were assigned to experiment group I, and ten patients who mediated general bridge exercises were assigned to experiment groupⅡ. For the pre-test, using surface EMG were measured paralyzed rectus abdominis, erector spinae, transverse abdominis/internal oblique muscle activity, and using trunk impairment scale were measured balance. In order to find out immediate effect after intervention, post-test was measured immediately same way pre-test. Results: Change in balance didn’t show significant difference within and between groups, but muscle activity of trunk was significant difference rectus abdominis and erector spinae within groups I (P<.01), also between groups was significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Bridge exercise combined with FES could improve trunk function more effectively than general bridge exercise due to physiological effect of functional electrical stimulation.

Background: Multifaceted approaches will be needed, such as global synkinesis (GS) achieve functional improvements in the arms of stroke patients from involuntary movements during exercise. Objective: To identify changes in arm GS and muscle activity, functional evaluation and the correlation with variables through action observation training, combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES), thereby verifying the effect on stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 stroke patients who were divided into two groups: Control group (n=10) and experimental group (n=10). Before the intervention, arm GS and muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography (EMG), and arm function was evaluated using the Fugl– Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. At the end of the intervention, which lasted 4-wk, arm GS and muscle activity were measured again using the same scale. Results: There was a decrease statistically significant difference in GS during the bending action in experimental group (P<.01). Both groups showed a significant difference increased only in the activity of the anterior deltoid (AD) and biceps brachii (BB) (P<.05). The results of the arm functional assessment revealed a significant difference increase in both groups (P<.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference decrease in GS during the bending action (P<.05). Only the muscle activity of the AD and BB were significantly increase different (P<.05). There was a significant betweengroup difference increase in the arm functional assessment (P<.05). There was a positive correlation between GS and muscle activity on the FMA in the control group (r=.678, P<.05). In experimental group, GS during the bending arm action exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.749, P<.05), and the muscle activity of the AD and BB showed a positive correlation (r=.701, P<.05). Furthermore, in experimental group, the activity of the extensor carpi radialis increased, and the activity of the flexor carpi radialis decreased, which exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.708, P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that brain plasticity could be more efficiently stimulated by combining surface stimulation in the affected arm of stroke patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (＞;24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) (n1=7) and control (FES) (n2=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p＜.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

The present study purposed to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, self-stretching and functional massage on the recovery of muscle contraction force for muscle fatigue caused by sustained isotonic contraction. The subjects of this study were 45 healthy students. They were divided into transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group(n=15), self-stretching group(n=15) and functional massage group(n=15), and using Primus RS. We observed the pattern of changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction force(MVIC) after causing muscle fatigue in quadriceps femoris muscle through sustained isotonic contraction. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction force(MVIC) were greatly increased after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, self-stretching and functional massage. In the comparison of recovery rate of muscle contraction force for muscle fatigue caused by sustained isotonic contraction among the treatment groups, it did not show any significant differences. However, it showed that each treatment may be effective in recovery of muscle fatigue caused by sustained isotonic contraction.

목적 : 본 연구는 기능적 전기자극 동안의 과제훈련이 뇌졸중 환자의 상지기능에 미치는 영향을 평가하고, 회귀분석 을 통해 인과관계에 따른 설명력을 확인하고자 한다. 연구방법 : 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 환자 39명을 대상으로 중재방법에 따라 세 그룹으로 나누어 비교하였다. 15명 의 실험군은 기능적 전기자극 동안에 과제훈련을 실시하였고, 13명의 대조군Ⅰ은 기능적 전기자극만을 실시하였으며, 11명의 대조군Ⅱ는 과제훈련만을 실시하였다. 6주 후에 분산분석을 통해 세 그룹 간에 손의 근력과 상지의 기능, 운동 활동 지표와 일상생활활동에서 평균변화량의 차이를 각각 비교하였다. 그리고 영역별 결과에서 상지기능의 향상에 대한 잠재적인 변인들과의 상관관계를 분석하고, 회귀분석을 통해 상지기능에 영향을 주는 요소의 인과관계를 분석하였다. 결과 : 연구 결과 손의 근력과 상지 기능, 운동 활동 지표에서 세 그룹 간에 유의한 차이를 확인하였고, 기능적 전기자극 동안에 과제훈련을 실시한 실험군에서 통계적으로 유의한 향상을 보였다(p<.05). 이러한 긍정적인 결과에서 나타난 각 요소들은 상호간에 높은 상관관계를 보였으며, 변수간의 인과성을 확인하기 위한 위계적 중다회귀분석 결과, 모형 1에서는 근력(R2 = .17), 모형 2에서는 움직임의 질(R2 = .28), 모형 3에서는 움직임의 질과 실험군 중재법(R2 = .37)이 유의한 설명력을 보였다. 운동 활동 지표 중 움직임의 질과 실험군에서 실시한 중재 방법이 상지 기능에 가장 영향력 있는 변수로 나타났고, 상지기능의 회복을 위해 기능적 전기자극 동안의 과제훈련에 대한 중요성을 입증하였다. 결론 : 기능적 전기자극 동안에 과제훈련을 실시한 실험군은 대조군Ⅰ,Ⅱ보다 손의 근력과 상지기능, 운동 활동 지표에서 더 긍정적인 효과를 보였다. 또한 움직임의 질과 기능적 전기자극 동안의 과제훈련이 상지기능 향상을 위한 높은 설명력을 보였다. 따라서 뇌졸중 환자의 상지기능 향상을 위하여 기능적 전기자극 동안에 능동적이고 반복적인 과제훈련 적용이 작업치료사에 의해서 활발하게 이루어져야 할 것이다.

The purpose of this study is to see the effect of functional electrical stimulation on forced vital capacity and alternating motion rate in children with spastic cerebral palsy. This study divided 20 children with spastic cerebral palsy into two groups; functional electrical stimulation treatment group and control group. Functional electrical stimulation treatment group had 20min per day treatment three times a week for four weeks and the control group did not have any treatment. Before and after intervention, this study measured forced vital capacity and alternate motion rate(/peo/,/teo/) for all children. Forced vital capacity showed statistically significant increase for the group with functional electrical stimulation(p<.05) while the control group did not show any significant increase(p>.05). Alternate motion rate showed statistically significant increase for the group with functional electrical stimulation(p<.05) while the control group did not show any significant increase(p>.05). This result shows that functional electrical stimulation affected the ability of the children with spastic cerebral palsy who have decreased breathing and phonation capability.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of gait training using functional electrical stimulation on the improvement of hemiplegic patients' functions for balance and gait velocity. The subjects of the experiment were determined to be 10 each hemiplegic patients who had been diagnosed with stroke or brain damage six months or longer earlier assigned to an experimental group and a control group respectively. The subjects were evaluated before the experiment using Tetrax and 10M gait tests, received gait training five times a week for four weeks using functional electrical stimulation and were evaluated after the experiment in the same method as used in the evaluation before the experiment. In order to examine differences between the experimental group that received gait training using functional electrical stimulation and the control group that was treated by functional electrical stimulation and received gait training thereafter, differences between before and after the experiment were analyzed using paired sample t-tests and differences in changes after the experiment between the experimental group and the control group were analyzed using independent sample t-tests in order to compare the two groups with each other. Experimental results showed significant differences in weight bearing, balance and gait velocity between before and after the experiment in the experimental group(p<.05). In the control group, whereas weight bearing and gait velocity did not show any significant difference between before and after the experiment(p>.05), balance showed significant differences(p<.05). Weight bearing, balance and gait velocity change rates showed significant differences between the experimental group and the control group(p<.05). In conclusion, it was indicated that gait training using functional electrical stimulation is effective for enhancing stroke patients' weight bearing rates, balance abilities and gait velocity.

목적 : 만성기 편마비 환자에서 상지 운동기능 회복을 위한 기능적 전기자극의 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 신경학적으로 더 이상의 회복을 기대할 수 없는 발병 후 12개월 이상이 경과된 만성기 편마비 환자 18명을 대상하였다. 편마비측에 4주 동안 전기자극 치료의 적용 없이 기능의 변화를 평가하였고, 이후 4주간은 전기자극 치료를 1회 20분, 1일 1회, 주 5일간 마비측 상지에 적용하여 기능의 변화, 동작을 분석하였다. 전기자극은 수지의 파악, 주관절의 굴곡, 주관절의 신전, 수지의 이완 등의 순서로 식사동작을 모방하여 작동되도록 조작하였다. 상지의 기능회복정도를 측정하기 위하여 수지 근력, 상지의 근력 측정과 Fugl-Meyer 운동기능 평가를 실시하였고, 인지 및 지각능력을 평가하였으며, 정량 분석을 위하여 삼차원 동작 분석기(CMS10 measuring system)를 이용하여 상지의 동작을 분석하였다. 결과 : 전기자극을 적용하기 전에서는 편마비측 수지 및 상지의 근력과 Fugl-Meyer 운동기능에서 유의한 변화가 없었으며, 기능적 전기자극을 적용한 경우에 치료 전에 비해 치료 후에 편마비측 견관절과 주관절의 굴곡, 완관절의 신전 근력이 증가하였으며, 수지 근력, Fugl-Meyer 운동기능 평가에서 유의한 호전이 관찰되었다(p<.05). 삼차원 동작 분석기를 이용한 상지 기능의 평가에서 회내-회외운동 동작에서 진폭과 진동수의 유의한 증가가 보였으며, 변이도의 유의한 감소가 관찰되었다. 검지 두드리기와 손바닥 두드리기 동작에서는 진동수의 유의한 증가와 변이도의 유의한 감소가 관찰되었다(p<.05). 결론 : 발병 후 12개월 이상이 경과된 만성기 편마비 환자에서 마비측 상지에 대한 기능적 전기자극 치료는 상지 운동기능의 호전에 유의한 효과를 보였다.

We investigated the activation of the cerebral cortex during active movement, passive movement, and functional electrical stimulation (FES), which was provided on wrist extensor muscles. A functional magnetic resonance imaging study was performed on 5 healthy volunteers. Tasks were the extension of right wrist by active movement, passive movement, and FES at the rate of .5 Hz. The regions of interest were measured in primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (SI), secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), and supplementary motor area (SMA). We found that the contralateral SI and SII were significantly activated by all of three tasks. The additional activation was shown in the areas of ipsilateral S1 (n=2), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral (n=2) SII, and bilateral SMA (n=3) by FES. Ipsilateral M1 (n=1), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral SII (n=1), and contralateral SMA (n=1) were activated by active movement. Also, Contralateral SMA (n=3) was activated by passive movement. The number of activated pixels on SM1 by FES ( pixels) was smaller than that by active movement ( pixels) and nearly the same as that by passive movement ( pixels). Findings reveal that active movement, passive movement, and FES had a direct effect on cerebral cortex. It suggests that above modalities may have the potential to facilitate brain plasticity, if applied with the refined-specific therapeutic intervention for brain-injured patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on a visual analysis scale and functional visual analysis scale regarding functional capacity. A total of 7 consecutive patients with the complaint of patellofemoral pain syndrome who received this diagnosis from a sports medicine physician were recruited to assess the effect of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Functional Visual Analog Scale (FVAS), functional capacity patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The exercise rehabilitation consisted of a complex training program requiring five treatments a week for eight weeks. The training program consisted of four phases, and each lasted for two weeks. Statistical analyses were one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The results were as follows: (1) There were significant differences in the VAS and FVAS during 8-weeks of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (p<.01). (2) There were no significant differences in the functional capacity during 8-weeks of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (p<.05). In conclusion, at the end of the eight weeks of this rehabilitation program and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, a significant reduction was found in VAS and FVAS, but there was no significant difference in functional capacity at the end of the treatment.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) training of the knee extensors is a useful way to rehabilitate the ability to stand and walk. However, training using FES has not been able to solve the problem of fatigue; clinical application of FES quickly produces muscle fatigue, due to the continuous activation of the muscles of the lower extremity. Therefore, reduction of muscle fatigue is an important factor in increasing the effectiveness of FES training in paraplegia. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation is a method that combines the advantages of high frequency (leading to strong muscle contractions) and alternating stimulation (reducing muscle fatigue), thereby continuously strengthening muscles. It is not known whether low frequency simultaneous stimulation results in stronger muscle contraction than high frequency alternating stimulation. This study compared the effectiveness of high frequency alternating stimulation with low frequency synchronized stimulation. Muscle power using FES on the quadriceps of 20 normal subjects were compared. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation did not produce more powerful muscle contraction than intermittent low frequency synchronized stimulation, because the muscle characteristics differed individually. Significant individual variation according to muscle characteristics was founded when applying FES. Accordingly, when physical therapists use FES to treat patients, they must be aware of individual variation in muscle characteristics.

This study was to investigate the effects of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) on temporal parameters (stride length, step width and cadence) of gait patterns in a patient with right hemiparesis. A single-subject reversal (ABAB) design was used. The subject was a 25-year-old male who had foot drop and circumduction gait pattern. An ink foot-print method was used to assess the temporal parameters of gait between the baseline phase and the intervention phase. FES was applied at 8 m walkway, three times a week for 5 weeks. The results showed that stride length was increased by 4.04 cm and that step width was decreased by 3.93 cm in the intervention phase. There was no difference in cadence between the baseline phase and intervention phase.

The purpose of this case study was to introduce functional electrical stimulation(FES) for paraplegic patients. FES provides the ability to rise from sitting to standing, maintenance of a standing position, and the ability to walk with a reciprocal gait. Six channels of electrical stimulation are sufficient for synthesis of a simple reciprocal gait pattern in these patients. During the double-stance phase, knee extensor muscles of both knees are stimulated, providing sufficient support for the body. Only one knee extensor muscle group is excited during the single-stance phase. The swing phase of the contralateral lower extremity is accomplished by eliciting the synergic flexor muscle response through electrical stimulation of afferent nerves. The transition from the double-stance phase to the swing phase is controlled by two hand switches used by the therapist or built into the handles of the walking frame for using by the patient. A twenty-five years old male was with a T9/T9 spinal cord injury due to a traffic accident and admitted to Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital for comprehensive treatment. After 30 days of training using the Parastep(R) he was able to stand for 10 minutes. After 43 days, he was able to walk and at discharged he could walk for 100 meters.

When applying FES to patients, proper evaluation must be performed prior to treating patient. Patients with thoracic lesions between are suitable for FES. However, these patients must have excitability of the leg muscles. Thus, excitability testing is an essential part of the screening program(stimulation at 80V gives a response). Before standing or walking is attempted the patients must perform restrengthening exercise, so that the Quadriceps muscle group minimum strength is 40 Nm (corresponding to a manual grade of F+ to G). After that walking and standing can be attempted. The effects of FES are as follows: prevents pressure sores; development and maintenance of muscle properties; prevents disuse atrophy and contractures.

The use of electricity to evoke s skeletal muscle response is FES, which is a form of functional electrical stimulation. In the case of the damaged spinal cord, the technique can supply stimulation to the lower moter neurons and their muscle fiber, which have been disconnected from control of the higher nervous system. Recent advances in electronics, particularly miniaturization, have made possible the design of much improved systems of electrodes and stimulaters for FES. Clinical research has followed two main lines: the use of FES in the upper extremities for producing functional hand rehabilitation in quadriplegics and in the lower extremities for producing standing and gait in paraplegics.