Functional electrical stimulation improves balance in stroke survivors

This study investigated the effects of balance training with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to treat stroke survivors. Researchers suggested that this treatment improves balance and muscle activation in patients with stroke.

Every year, more than 795,000 people in the US have a stroke. It happens when the blood flow to the brain is cut-off. The brain cells stop receiving oxygen and begin to die, losing their abilities in controlling body functions. This causes side effects such as muscle weakness, which can cause balance impairment.

FES uses electrical pulses to generate body movements. Prior studies showed that FES improves leg movements, walking, and balance. More recently, electromyogram (EM)-triggered FES has been used to start specific muscle activity. This therapy has been of improved effectiveness. It improves postural control and therefore, balance and walking ability.

EM is a test that records the electrical activity of muscles. Normal and impaired muscles have different electrical activity. Prior studies suggested that EM-FES improve hand movements. However, the effects of EM-FES in balance and walking ability in stroke patients are yet to be studied.

This study included information about 49 stroke survivors. These patients were assigned to receive EM-FES (25) or conventional therapy (no EM-FES; 24). The EM-FES group received treatment 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks.

The balance was significantly improved in both groups, after treatment. However, the EM-FES group showed greater improvement. Leg muscle activation resulted in significant improvements in the EM-FES group after treatment, but not on the no EM-FES group

This study concluded that EM-FES improves balance and muscle activation in stroke survivors.

This study had a very small number of participants. Larger studies are needed for stronger evidence.