Effect of Sensory-Amplitude Electric Stimulation on Motor Recovery and Gait Kinematics After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract Yavuzer G, Öken Ö, Atay MB, Stam HJ. Effect of sensory-amplitude electric stimulation on motor recovery and gait kinematics after stroke: a randomized controlled study. Objective To evaluate the effects of sensory-amplitude electric stimulation (SES) of the paretic leg on motor recovery and gait kinematics of patients with stroke. Design Randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Setting Rehabilitation ward and gait laboratory of a university hospital. Participants A total of 30 consecutive inpatients with stroke (mean age, 63.2y), all within 6 months poststroke and without volitional ankle dorsiflexion were studied. Intervention Both the SES group (n=15) and the placebo group (n=15) participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The SES group also received 30 minutes of SES to the paretic leg without muscle contraction 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Brunnstrom stages of motor recovery and time-distance and kinematic characteristics of gait. Results Brunnstrom stages improved significantly in both groups ( P .05). Gait kinematics was improved in both groups, but the between-group difference was not significant. Conclusions In our patients with stroke, SES of the paretic leg was not superior to placebo in terms of lower-extremity motor recovery and gait kinematics.