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A Multicenter Trial of a Footdrop Stimulator Controlled by a Tilt Sensor

Centre for Neuroscience, Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Richard.stein{at}ualberta.ca

SuLing Chong, BPT

Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Dirk G. Everaert, PhD

Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Robert Rolf

Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Aiko K. Thompson, PhD

Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton

Maura Whittaker, BPT, MBA

Department of Physical Therapy, G. F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver

Jenny Robertson, BPT

Department of Physical Therapy, G. F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver

Joyce Fung, PhD

School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, PQ

Richard Preuss, MSc

School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, PQ

Kimito Momose, PhD

Department of Physical Therapy, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Science, Yamagata, Japan

Kouji Ihashi, PhD

Department of Physical Therapy, Yamagata Prefectural University of Health Science, Yamagata, Japan

Objectives. To test the efficacy and acceptance of a footdrop stimulator controlled by a tilt sensor. Methods. A nonrandomized, test-retest study of 26 subjects with footdrop of more than 1 year’s duration, resulting from various central nervous system disorders, was performed in 4 centers for at least 3 months. Speed of walking in a straight line, speed around a figure of 8, and physiological cost index (PCI) were measured with and without the device. Hours/day and steps/day using the device were recorded. Results.All but 2 subjects used the tilt sensor at home, rather than a foot switch. Walking speed increased by 15% after 3 months (n = 26; P < 0.01), 32% after 6 months (n = 16; P < 0.01), and 47% after 12 months (n = 8; P < 0.05), while PCI decreased. The number of steps taken per day of use increased significantly over time, and increased speed was directly correlated with usage. Walking speed also increased with the stimulator off, but to a lesser extent, indicating a training effect. Subject feedback from a questionnaire indicated satisfaction with the stimulator. Conclusions. Both efficacy and acceptance of the stimulator were good in a population of subjects with chronic footdrop.

Key Words: Functional electrical stimulation • Footdrop • Multicenter trial • Stroke • Spinal cord injury.

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 20, No. 3, 371-379 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1545968306289292


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