Effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) when combined with gait training on treadmill in children with spastic diplegia

Abstract

This study used the repeated measure design to investigate the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) when combined with gait training on treadmill in children with mildly to moderately spastic diplegia. Subjects and methods: Seven children with mildly to moderately spastic diplegia were four boys and three girls and aged between 6.12 and 11.46 years old (mean aged of 8.75±2.00 years). They could walk independently and having the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) at I-II level. The children received 2 conditions of training (gait training on treadmill only and gait training on treadmill with FES). They were trained 2 sessions per week for 6 weeks in each condition and had a rest for a week before the 2nd condition. The ViconTM motion analysis laboratory was used to collect and evaluate the gait parameters before and after each gait training condition. Results: There were significantly differences of the maximal ankle dorsiflexion angle at the swing phase (p = 0.008), level of heel rising at the stance phase (p = 0.001), and stride length (p = 0.031) between gait training on treadmill with and without FES. Conclusion: The effect of a combination of the FES and gait training on treadmill can promote mobility of the swinging leg and stability of the standing leg during gait.