Functional Electrical Stimulation to the Dorsiflexors and Quadriceps in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the ankle dorsiflexors and quadriceps in children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: Fourteen children (mean age 8 years) were randomly allocated to a treatment or control group. The treatment group received 2 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation followed by 8 weeks of FES used at home and school. The control group continued with its usual physiotherapy program. Assessment took place at baseline and before and after the treatment period. Both control and treatment groups were fitted with FES for gait analysis at the second and final assessments.

Results: In both groups, FES of the ankle dorsiflexors resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) effect on gait kinematics. However, no long-term treatment effect of using FES for 8 weeks was found.

Conclusions: FES for selected children with cerebral palsy, receiving adequate support, can be a practical treatment option to improve gait kinematics.