title: Effects of a functional electrical stimulation-assisted leg-cycling wheelchair on reducing spasticity of patients after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subject comparison.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 17 patients after stroke were recruited from the university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsin-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Kuen-Horng
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Fong-Chin
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Guang-Liang
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chun-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014910:Wheelchairs