The Therapeutic Effect of Functional and Transcutaneous Electric Stimulation on Improving Gait Speed in Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis

A feasibility study to investigate the clinical application of functional electrical stimulation (FES), for dropped foot, during the sub-acute phase of stroke – A randomized controlled trial

“…This is in line with recommendations [Kottink et al, 2007;Robbins, Houghton, Woodbury and Brown, 2006] that patients should ambulate while using FES to increase the effectiveness of the intervention on gait. This study has demonstrated it is feasible to use FES in the sub-acute phase and it appeared to be safe with no critical incidents such as inappropriate use or falls occuring.…”

“…Evidence has emerged in recent years about the efficacy of FES in chronic stroke patients (>6 months post stroke) [Taylor et al, 1999a;Taylor et al, 1999b;Burridge, 2001;Penta et al, 2001;Kottink et al, 2004;Robbins, Houghton, Woodbury and Brown, 2006 ;Laufer, Hausdorff and Ring, 2009;NICE, 2009;Roche, Laighin and Coote, 2009;States, Salem, Pappas, 2009]. This evidence base has reported the positive benefits of FES including; reduction in energy expenditure, increased gait velocity, decreased falls and improved quality of life.…”

“…A number of authors [Granat et al, 1996;Robbins, Houghton, Woodbury and Brown, 2006;Roche, Laighin and Coote, 2009] have hypothesised that the benefits of FES, demonstrated in chronic stroke populations, may be replicated in the early phase of recovery after stroke. Granat et al, 1996, proposed that the application of FES in the more acute setting may prevent abnormal gait problems becoming established in the longer term.…”

Role of Increased Exercise Therapy Time in Stroke Rehabilitation

“…Robbins et al 26 posit that the factors of recovery from a stroke include the human brain's faculty for reorganization and adjustment and that regular therapies are not very conducive at restoring standard pace for many patients after a stroke. An over whelming support form literary circles indicated that sensory stimulation and feedback might have a beneficial effect on selective motor control after a stroke attack.…”

A mixed methods service evaluation of a pilot functional electrical stimulation clinic for the correction of dropped foot in patients with chronic stroke

“…Evidence supporting the efficacy of FES in a chronic stroke population has emerged in recent years (Taylor et al, 1999a;1999b;Burridge, 2001;Kottink et al, 2004;Robbins et al, 2006;Laufer et al, 2009;National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2009). This research has provided evidence of the positive benefits of the application of FES, namely reduction in energy expenditure, increased gait velocity, decreased falls and improved quality of life (Taylor et al, 1999a;1999b;Burridge, 2001;Kottink et al, 2004;Robbins et al, 2006;Laufer et al, 2009; National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2009).…”