The effect of lower limb functional electrical stimulation on gait of children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of lower limb functional electrical stimulation (FES) in children with cerebral palsy.


METHODS
A comprehensive search yielded 37 citations. English articles included in the review applied either surface or percutaneous FES to the lower limb, if subjects were younger than 18 years old, and if the stimulator was removed or off at the time of testing.


RESULTS
Five articles were included in this review, including 3 case reports, 1 single subject, and 1 crossover design. Among the wide range of stimulation protocols, stimulation of the gastrocnemius with or without the tibialis anterior muscle may effect greater gait improvements than stimulating the tibialis anterior muscle alone.
Future research differentiating between optimal FES and neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocols as well as more rigorous research designs are needed to provide clinically relevant results.
Seifart
Anja
A
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa. anjaseifart@webmail.co.za
Unger
Marianne
M
Burger
Marlette
M
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology