Suzanne Tinsley
Louisiana State University Health-Shreveport, USA
Title: Short and Long Term Biomechanical Alterations in the Lower Extremity in Response to Functional Electrical Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves in a Patient with Neurologically Impairments: A Longitudinal Case Report
Biography
Biography: Suzanne Tinsley
Abstract
Individuals that suffer from neurological deficits often experience foot drop and knee instability during gait, related to a lack of active control of lower extremity muscles. These impairments combined significantly hinder gait activity and may place the individual at an increased risk for falls. In order to compensate, individuals will often develop compensatory movements that often produce a greater energy cost. Common solutions for foot clearance and knee instability are the use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and/or functional electrical stimulation (FES) on lower extremity musculature. Advancements in technology have produced FES systems for the lower extremity that can produce a form functional gait cycle. This single-subject repeated measure study design was used to evaluate the short and long term effects of the BioNess L-300® system on joint angles (ankle, knee and hip) in all phases of the gait cycle. The participant (stroke diagnosis) utilized the BioNesss L-300® for gait training activities two times a week for approximately one hour each session over a two year period. Gait parameters using a motion analysis system and outcome measures were recorded at baseline, twelve months and twenty-four months. Results displayed both short term and longitudinal functional improvements in joint angles during all phases of the gait cycle, as well as improvements in all outcome measures. The findings indicated that utilizing the BioNesss L-300® system for gait activities on a limited weekly basis may provide both short term and longitudinal functional improvement in gait activity in individuals with neurological impairments.