Clinical Application of Peroneal Nerve Stimulator System Using Percutaneous Intramuscular Electrodes for Correction of Foot Drop in Hemiplegic Patients

Neuroprosthesis for Footdrop Compared with an Ankle-Foot Orthosis: Effects on Postural Control during Walking

“…Previous work suggested that FES can improve certain aspects of gait in chronic hemiparetic patients with footdrop (e.g., an improved energy consumption). 3,8,9,16 In this study, we extend those previous findings by demonstrating that the beneficial effects on gait are apparently superior to the benefits achieved with an AFO. During the initial adaptation period, the neuroprosthesis effect on gait was similar to that obtained after chronic use with an AFO, but after 8 weeks, the positive impact of the neuroprosthesis was greater than the AFO.…”

“…3 Among the possible reasons for limited use are user-related drawbacks inherent in previously available FES devices 15 and the lack of studies documenting improved efficacy of these devices over conventional therapies, such as an AFO. Although several reports have demonstrated the benefits of such systems for the correction of footdrop, 3,8,9,16 only two studies directly compared a surface electrode footdrop stimulator with an AFO. 17,18 Sheffler et al 17 reported promising results, but differences between the two devices did not reach statistical significance and superiority of the FES device over the AFO (or vice versa) could not be definitively established.…”

Effects of a New Radio Frequency–Controlled Neuroprosthesis on Gait Symmetry and Rhythmicity in Patients with Chronic Hemiparesis

“…Since then, a number of studies have demonstrated the benefits of FES for the correction of foot drop. 4,[7][8][9][10][11][12] Studies that have tested the therapeutic effects of these systems have shown that FES may be effective in the rehabilitation of patients who had suffered a stroke. [13][14][15] FES systems, like those that are used to substitute for loss of function attributable to neurological damage, are often called neuroprostheses.…”

Effect of Tilt Sensor versus Heel Loading on Neuroprosthesis Stimulation Reliability and Timing for Individuals Post-Stroke during Level and Non- Level Treadmill Walking

“…While prior investigations of neuroprostheses have been conducted for individuals post-stroke [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], these investigations involved level walking trails only and did not assess either stimulation reliability or stimulation timing. As such, the results of this study are novel and cannot be contrasted with the literature.…”

“…One limitation of prior neuroprosthesis studies [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] is that only level walking trials were conducted, although non-level walking surfaces are routinely encountered during household and community ambulation. Gait kinematics for normal individuals vary during ambulation on inclined and declined surfaces [13].…”