Treadmill training with functional electrical stimulation on gluteus médius and tibialis anterior muscles for chronic hemiparetic stroke

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treadmill training (TT) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied on the gluteus medius (GM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles on gait and balance performance in individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Thirty-six participants who had chronic hemiparetic stroke, were recruited in this study, and were randomly distributed into three groups: TT with FES applied on the GM and TA muscles (Experimental group 1,12 patients), TT with FES applied on the TA muscle (Experimental group 2, 12 patients), and TT only (Control group, 12 patients). All participants were involved in a total of 20 sessions of TT with harness, 30 minutes per day, five times per a week for four weeks. They also received the regular physical therapy for 1 hour per day, five times per a week for four weeks. All participants were measured the digital muscle test, Berg balance scale (BBS), 6 minute walk test (6MWT), and spatiotemporal parameters before and after training. After training, Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in hip abductor strength, BBS scores, 6MWT scores, gait velocity, and cadence compared to the Experimental group 2 and control group. These findings show that TT with FES applied on the GM and TA muscles contributed to producing increased lower extremity muscle strength, and improvements of balance and gait capacities. Therefore, it is suggestive that TT with FES applied on GM and TA can be beneficial intervention within the clinical settings in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.