title: Walking on an uneven surface: the effect of common peroneal stimulation on gait parameters and relationship between perceived and measured benefits in a sample of participants with a drop-foot.
abstract: Objectives.  To examine the effect of using a common peroneal stimulator on an even and an uneven surface, and to compare measures with perceived response to stimulation. Method.  Participants had a drop-foot caused by a stroke (N = 13) or multiple sclerosis (N = 7) and had used a common peroneal stimulator for > 3 months prior to the study. Walking speed and physiological cost index (PCI) were recorded under four conditions: with and without stimulation over an even and an uneven surface. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Results.  A statistically significant increase in walking speed and decrease in PCI was identified when the stimulator was used. There was a trend to greater improvement on the uneven compared to the even surface. A correlation between perceived benefit of stimulation and a measured decrease in PCI was detected. Conclusion.  Stimulation may be particularly beneficial for the more difficult task of walking on an uneven surface. Perceived benefit was related to a reduction in effort of walking, not in increased speed.
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Southampton, UK; and              Salisbury District Hospital, National Clinical FES Center, Salisbury, UK.
authors.forename: Jane H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Burridge
authors.forename: Khamis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Elessi
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Taylor