Treadmill training with tilt sensor functional electrical stimulation for improving balance, gait, and muscle architecture of tibialis anterior of survivors with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Gait training is important for stroke rehabilitation, such as using the treadmill training with functional electrical stimulation (FES).


OBJECTIVE
This study was to investigate the effects of the treadmill training with tilt sensor FES on the balance, gait, and muscle architecture of the tibialis anterior in stroke survivors.


METHODS
The study was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-four stroke survivors were recruited and screened eligibility criteria. Thirty-two participants were randomly allocated to two groups using random allocation software: Treadmill training with Tilt Sensor FES (TTSF) group (n= 16) and Treadmill training with Placebo Tilt Sensor FES (TPTSF) group (n= 16). TTSF group performed gait training on treadmill with tilt sensor FES, and TPTSF group performed gait training on treadmill with placebo tilt sensor FES. Two participants were dropped during this study, and 30 participants were included at post-test. Balance and gait were measured using the timed up and go (TUG) test, berg balance scale (BBS), and 10 m walk test (10 mWT). Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the muscle architecture of the tibialis anterior.


RESULTS
After intervention, there were significant improvements in the TUG, BBS, and 10 mWT compared to baseline in both groups (p< 0.05). At follow-up, the TUG, BBS, 10 mWT, and muscle architecture of tibialis anterior on the paretic side showed significant improvements in the TTSF group compared to TPTSF group (p< 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study suggest that TTSF can be an effective intervention for improving balance, gait ability, and muscle architecture of tibialis anterior of stroke survivors.
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
Dal-Yeon
DY
Hwang
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Myongji Choonhey Rehabilitation Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Hwang-Jae
HJ
Lee
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungnam University, Changwon-si, Korea.
Gyu-Chang
GC
Lee
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
Suk-Min
SM
Lee
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking
Stroke; functional electrical stimulation; treadmill training; ultrasound imaging