Sasha M. Scott, Marietta L. van der Linden, Julie E. Hooper, Paula Cowan, Thomas H. Mercer
School of Health Science, Queen Margaret University, EH21 6UU Edinburgh, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1109

Objective: To assess whether the application of Functional Electrical Stimulation improves gait kinematics and walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis who experience foot drop.
Design: Acute open labelled comparative observation trial.
Participants: Twelve people (3 females, 9 males, EDSS 2–4) with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (47. 8 years (standard deviation 6. 6)) who were new users of functional electrical stimulation.
Methods: Gait kinematics were recorded using 3D gait analysis. Walking ability was assessed through the 10-m walk test and the 6-min walk test. All assessments were performed with and without the assistance of functional electrical stimulation. The effect of functional electrical stimulation was analysed using paired t-tests.
Results: Ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact (p = 0. 026), knee flexion at initial contact (p = 0. 044) and peak knee flexion during swing (p = 0. 011) were significantly greater whilst walking with Functional Electrical Stimulation. The increased peak dorsiflexion in swing of nearly 4 degrees during functional electrical stimulation assisted walking approached significance (p = 0. 069). The 10-m walk time was significantly improved by functional electrical stimulation (p = 0. 004) but the 6 min walk test was not.
Conclusion: The acute application of functional electrical stimulation resulted in an orthotic effect through a change in ankle and knee kinematics and increased walking speed over a short distance in people with multiple sclerosis who experience foot drop.