title: Response of prolonged flaccid paralysis to FNS rehabilitation techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of muscles with prolonged flaccid paralysis (a year after stroke) to two types of treatment: (1) functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) with surface electrodes; and (2) FNS with intramuscular (IM) electrodes (FNS-IM). A second purpose was to compare FNS-gait versus volitional gait (no FNS activation).
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a single case study design; our patient was age 72, with flaccid paralysis of knee flexors and ankle dorsiflexors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following four months of treatment with surface-stimulation, there was no change in muscle function or gait. Following treatment with FNS-IM, the patient regained partial volitional control of knee flexors and dorsiflexors; untreated muscles did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FNS-gait provided more normal knee and ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase versus volitional gait swing phase (no FNS activation).
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Walsh University, N. Canton, Ohio, USA. daly@alex.walsh.edu
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ruff
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hull
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001915:Braces; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome