Affiliations: [a]
Graduate School of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| [b]
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Yijung Chung, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, 815 Hwarang-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea. E-mail: yijung36@syu.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Backward walking is considered as a newly rising method used to enhance gait abilities, but evidence remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To identify whether backward walking with functional electrical stimulation (FES) triggered by a foot switch on the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior could be effective in improving gait parameters of stroke survivors. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study that included fourteen subjects with chronic stroke. Three walking conditions were performed at random: backward walking with FES attached onto the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior (RF+TA), backward walking with FES attached onto the tibialis anterior (TA only), and without electrical intervention (non-FES). The Zebris was used to assess the spatiotemporal gait parameters. Each condition was measured three times and the average value was used for analysis. RESULTS:Results showed significant increases in gait speed, cadence, step length, mid-stance percentage, maximal force in the affected midfoot (p < 0.05), and significant decreases in the double stance phase in the RF+TA condition compared to the TA only and the non-FES conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Functional electrical stimulation to the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior during backward walking could be a clinically effective method to improve gait ability of stroke survivors.
