Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jovana Malesevic, Ljubica Konstantinovic, Goran Bijelic, Nebojsa Malesevic
Summary: Traditional rehabilitation approaches for foot drop include stretching exercises or FES delivery, but both methods lack patient engagement. Recent findings suggest that active psycho-physical engagement of the patient during physical therapy can better achieve full rehabilitation potential.
Article
Neurosciences
Francesca d'Andrea, Paul Taylor, Kai Yang, Ben Heller
Summary: This study evaluated the accuracy of inertial measurement units (IMUs) in measuring foot motion in the frontal and sagittal planes, and explored their potential in clinical settings for gait assessment and evaluating the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on drop foot patients. The results showed that IMUs currently cannot replace motion capture systems for accurately assessing foot kinematics in drop foot patients using FES.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Gu Eon Kang, Rebecca Frederick, Brandon Nunley, Lawrence Lavery, Yasin Dhaher, Bijan Najafi, Stuart Cogan
Summary: The emerging literature suggests that implantable functional electrical stimulation may improve gait performance in stroke survivors. However, more studies are critically needed to confirm its effectiveness, as existing studies have issues with heterogeneity and small sample sizes.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Schifino, Veronica Cimolin, Massimiliano Pau, Maira Jaqueline da Cunha, Bruno Leban, Micaela Porta, Manuela Galli, Aline Souza Pagnussat
Summary: The study assessed the effects of foot drop stimulators (FDS) in stroke patients using spatio-temporal parameters and harmonic ratio (HR) obtained from trunk accelerations. Results indicated that FDS treatment led to increased gait speed and improved step symmetry, with further research needed to advance understanding of FDS device effects on stroke patients.
Article
Neurosciences
Gourav Sannyasi, Rajdeep Ojha, Navin B. Prakash, Joyce Isaac, V Maheswari, G. S. Mahasampath, George Tharion
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of FES and AFO in the management of foot-drop in stroke patients. The results showed that patients using FES had significant improvements in various gait parameters compared to those using AFO and walking barefoot. The physiological cost index also showed a trend of improvement among FES users. Patients expressed higher satisfaction with FES.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Simao Carvalho, Ana Correia, Joana Figueiredo, Jorge M. Martins, Cristina P. Santos
Summary: Personalized and assist-as-needed control strategies are essential for the development of wearable FES technology to promote natural and functional movements while reducing early onset of fatigue. The proposed trajectory tracking control demonstrated low discrepancy between real and reference foot trajectories, showing promise for natural gait and DF correction.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Qiang Zhang, Krysten Lambeth, Ashwin Iyer, Ziyue Sun, Nitin Sharma
Summary: This study investigated the use of ultrasound echogenicity as an indicator of FES-evoked muscle activation and proposed a control framework that integrates ultrasound measurements. The control framework significantly improved the tracking performance of ankle dorsiflexion compared to the traditional control method that relies only on kinematic feedback. The results demonstrated the potential benefits of this control design for people with drop foot and other mobility disorders.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shih-Yen Tsai, Jennifer A. Schreiber, Natalie S. Adamczyk, Joanna Y. Wu, Son T. Ton, Ryan C. Hofler, James S. Walter, Timothy E. O'Brien, Gwendolyn L. Kartje, Russ P. Nockels
Summary: The study found that direct peripheral nerve stimulation can improve sensorimotor recovery in the stroke-impaired forelimb, suggesting it may be a useful approach to improve post-stroke deficits in human patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yurong Li, Xu Yang, Yuezhu Zhou, Jun Chen, Min Du, Yuan Yang
Summary: This study proposes a closed-loop scheme for adaptive EMG-modulated stimulation profile, successfully inducing dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and generating an activation pattern similar to a natural gait.
IEEE JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Klayne Cunha Matos, Vanessa Fernandes de Oliveira, Paula Luanna Carvalho de Oliveira, Fabiola Aureliano Carvalho, Maria Renata Matos de Mesquita, Camila Gabriella da Silva Queiroz, Levi Mota Marques, Debora Lilian Nascimento Lima, Fernanda Martins Maia Carvalho, Pedro Braga-Neto
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of functional electrostimulation as a complement to conventional speech therapy in patients with dysphagia after a stroke. The results showed that conventional speech therapy improved oral ingestion even without the use of electrostimulation in a stroke unit.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Juan Antonio Chamorro-Hinojosa, Francisco Molina-Rueda, Maria Carratala-Tejada
Summary: This review analyzes the evidence for the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the recovery of gait disturbance in stroke patients. The results show that moderate to low-quality evidence suggests a beneficial effect of tDCS on gait parameters, but the differences are not significant. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend this treatment, and higher-quality studies are needed for stronger conclusions.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Parham Soozandeh, Ganga Poudel, Morteza Sarkari, Kamran Behdinan
Summary: The design and implementation of a piezoelectric energy-harvesting system for aiding patients with foot drop disability is investigated, with a physical prototype fabricated for installation inside a shoe sole.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lucy Hodgins, Chris T. Freeman
Summary: Drop-foot, affecting an estimated 3 million people worldwide, is characterised by an inability to lift the foot. Current treatment methods, including rigid splints, electromechanical systems, and functional electrical stimulation (FES), have limitations such as bulkiness and muscle fatigue. This paper addresses these limitations by developing a novel orthosis that combines FES with a pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM), resulting in reduced fatigue compared to using FES alone, as demonstrated through experimental evaluation.
MEDICAL ENGINEERING & PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Andreia S. P. Sousa, Juliana Moreira, Claudia Silva, Ines Mesquita, Rui Macedo, Augusta Silva, Rubim Santos
Summary: Stroke leads to significant impairment in upper limb function, and rehabilitation aims to restore pre-stroke motor skills by stimulating neuroplasticity. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is recognized as a promising supplementary therapy in stroke rehabilitation. This study presents a comprehensive review on the usability of FES in post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation, including factors related to rehabilitation and critical appraisal of outcome measures. The review highlights FES as a promising tool to induce neuroplastic modifications in post-stroke rehabilitation, but the lack of studies evaluating FES usability through motor control outcomes and user satisfaction limits the definition of optimal therapeutical window for different functional tasks. FES systems integrating postural control muscles involving other anatomical regions are needed to improve upper limb function in post-stroke patients.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Angela Davies Smith, Terezie Prokopiusova, Rosemary Jones, Tania Burge, Kamila Rasova
Summary: Impaired mobility is common in people with multiple sclerosis, with footdrop being a common and early cause. Combining functional electrical stimulation (FES) with physiotherapy may enhance the benefits of FES. Research emphasizes the value of maintaining activity levels in early MS, but there is a lack of discussion on how to achieve this goal.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Nina Gras, Torsten Brauner, Scott Wearing, Thomas Horstmann
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the challenge posed by progressively unstable balance devices to bipedal stance during early functional rehabilitation in THA patients. The results showed that increasingly compliant balance pads provided a progressive challenge, while the challenge posed by the oscillating platform was lower and independent of the ability to stand independently.
Article
Neurosciences
Sharon M. H. Tsang, Evest H. W. Chan, Jason Y. H. Chan, Gladys P. Y. Huang, Kelly K. T. Lam, Eunice W. Y. Lam, Allan C. L. Fu, Eliza R. Sun
Summary: This study examined the differences in postural adjustments between erect, hyperlordotic, and swayback postures when facing external perturbations. The findings suggest that adopting hyperlordotic and swayback postures alters the contributions of the active and passive subsystems of the spine in postural control, potentially reducing the spine's ability to withstand loading and shear forces.
Article
Neurosciences
Hsin-yi Wang, Cheng-Yi Ho, Min-Chun Pan
Summary: This study investigated the differences in lumbar and hip movements during gait and muscle activities related to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and healthy participants. The results showed that KOA patients used a hyperlordotic lumbar and hip flexed strategy, leading to excessive stress on the lower extremity joints during gait.
Article
Neurosciences
Yoshitaka Otani, Osamu Aoki
Summary: This study found that feelings of fear affect postural control but not the internal focus of attention. This finding may be useful in assessments and interventions for older adults with a fall risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Haruki Toda, Hiroaki Hobara, Mitsunori Tada
Summary: This study investigated sex differences in lower limb dynamic joint stiffness (DJS) during walking in older adults. The results showed that ankle DJS was lower in older women, which was caused by the reduced ankle plantarflexion moment. However, knee DJS did not elucidate the cause of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in older women.
Article
Neurosciences
Luis H. Cubillos, Elliott J. Rouse, Thomas E. Augenstein, Varun Joshi, Edward S. Claflin, Chandramouli Krishnan
Summary: The study found that the reliability of stiffness, viscosity, and inertia of the ankle joint was good to excellent during standing. During walking, the reliability of stiffness and viscosity was also good to excellent, while that of inertia was fair to good. The minimal detectable change (MDC) ranged widely, but was higher for inertia during walking.
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra F. Dejong Lempke, Danielle L. Hunt, Sarah B. Willwerth, Pierre A. d'Hemecourt, William P. Meehan III, Kristin E. Whitney
Summary: Adolescent athletes alter their gait patterns throughout a marathon race, and there are correlations between biomechanical features and race performance among young marathoners.
Article
Neurosciences
Ali Esmaeili, Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad, Amirali Jafarnezhadgero, Valdeci Carlos Dionisio
Summary: This study investigates the effects of footwear type, navicular drop and ankle pronation on lower limb joint stiffness during running. The results show that navicular drop and dynamic ankle pronation do not affect joint stiffness, but footwear type significantly affects joint stiffness. Conventional footwear increases ankle and hip joint stiffness while reducing knee joint stiffness, which may have implications for injury risk.
Article
Neurosciences
Takahiro Watanabe, Tomoya Takabayashi, Takanori Kikumoto, Yudai Kikuchi, Shunsuke Suzuki, Shiori Hiratsuka, Masayoshi Kubo
Summary: This study suggests that there are differences in abductor hallucis activity between individuals with chronic ankle instability and ankle sprain copers, indicating neuromuscular dysfunction in these patients, which leads to pain and instability symptoms.
Letter
Neurosciences
Susan M. Linder, Mandy Miller Koop, Jay L. Alberts
Article
Neurosciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Marit van der Veen, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Sjoerd M. Bruijn, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: Gait stability is impaired in polio survivors with plantarflexor weakness, characterized by increased step width and step length variability and lower MoSAP. These factors are related to the elevated energy cost of walking in polio survivors.
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca Hemming, Alister du Rose, Liba Sheeran, Robert van Deursen, Valerie Sparkes
Summary: In a forward bending task, there is a relationship between trunk muscle activation and regional thoracic and lumbar kinematics in NSCLBP subgroups, indicating different motor control strategies adopted by different subgroups when performing bending tasks.
Review
Neurosciences
Carina Pohle, Linda Becker, Jochen Baumeister
Summary: This systematic review is the first to compile evidence on the effect of the menstrual cycle on postural control. The evidence regarding the influence of the menstrual cycle on postural control is unclear. However, a trend of decreased postural control from the early follicular phase to the ovulatory phase was observed in balance tasks that eliminated or altered sensory input.