Effects of a functional electrical stimulation-assisted leg-cycling wheelchair on reducing spasticity of patients after stroke

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 242 - 246
• Main Authors: Lo, Hsin-Chang, Tsai, Kuen-Horng, Su, Fong-Chin, Chang, Guang-Liang, Yeh, Chun-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden 01-03-2009
• Subjects: Aged; Electric Stimulation Therapy - instrumentation; Female; Hemiplegia - physiopathology; Hemiplegia - rehabilitation; Humans; Leg - physiopathology; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Spasticity - physiopathology; Muscle Spasticity - rehabilitation; Muscles; Relaxation; Spasticity; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke Rehabilitation; Strokes; Wheelchairs
• ISSN: 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/16501977-0320

To determine whether short-term propulsion of a functional electrical stimulation-assisted leg-cycling wheelchair (FES-LW) in patients with stroke can reduce spasticity of the affected leg and whether FES has additional effects on reducing spasticity.
Within-subject comparison.
A total of 17 patients after stroke were recruited from the university hospital.
Subjects propelled 2 leg-cycling wheelchairs (the FES-LW and the LW) and a manual wheelchair along an oval pathway. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), H reflex/maximal M response (H/M ratio) and relaxation index were used to evaluate the immediate effects on leg spasticity. The changes in MAS, H/M and relaxation index were used to evaluate the effect of FES in comparing 2 leg-cycling wheelchairs.
The MAS and H/M ratio were significantly decreased and the relaxation index significantly increased by FES-LW and LW usage. For subjects with higher muscle tone, significant lowering of the changes in MAS, H/M ratio and higher relaxation index were found for FES-LW usage compared with LW usage.
Leg spasticity is reduced after short-term propulsion of the FES-LW and LW. The application of FES has an additional effect on reducing spasticity in subjects with higher muscle tone.