Clinical use of the Odstock dropped foot stimulator: its effect on the speed and effort of walking.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical effectiveness of the Odstock dropped foot stimulator by analysis of its effect on physiological cost index (PCI) and speed of walking. This functional electrical stimulation (FES) device stimulates the common peroneal nerve during the swing phase of gait.


METHODS
A retrospective study of patients who had used the device for 4 1/2 months.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-one patients with a dropped foot resulting from an upper motor neuron lesion.


METHODS
A medical physics and biomedical engineering department of a district general hospital specializing in the clinical application of FES and a neurophysiotherapy department at a separate hospital.


METHODS
Changes in walking speed and effort of walking, as measured by PCI over a 10-meter course.


RESULTS
There was a 92.7% compliance with treatment. Stroke patients showed a mean increase in walking speed of 27% (p<.01) and reduction in PCI of 31% (p<.01) with stimulation, and changes of 14% (p<.01) and 19% (p<.01), respectively, while not using the stimulator. Multiple sclerosis patients gained similar orthotic benefit but no "carry-over."


CONCLUSIONS
The measured differences in walking with and without stimulation were statistically significant in the stroke and multiple sclerosis groups. In this study use of the stimulator improved walking. Those with stroke demonstrated a short-term "carry-over" effect.
Taylor
P N
PN
Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Salisbury District Hospital, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
Burridge
J H
JH
Dunkerley
A L
AL
Wood
D E
DE
Norton
J A
JA
Singleton
C
C
Swain
I D
ID
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking