Peroneal Stimulation for Foot Drop After Stroke: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the effect of daily use of single-channel foot drop stimulation among persons with stroke. Randomized controlled trials were searched using electronic databases through May 2014. Six randomized controlled trials were included, involving 820 participants. Gait speed was the most common outcome measured. Other common outcomes included Timed Up and Go, modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile, Berg Balance Scale, Physiologic Cost Index, Six-Minute Walk Test, quality-of-life, and lower extremity Fugl-Meyer. In summary, foot drop stimulation and ankle foot orthoses seem effective and “equivalent” for increasing gait speed. Other outcomes that consistently improved in both groups were the Timed Up and Go and Six-Minute Walk Test. Foot drop stimulation was more effective compared with ankle foot orthosis for decreasing Physiologic Cost Index and seemed to be preferred by participants. Physical therapy may facilitate improvement in both foot drop stimulation and ankle foot orthosis groups.