The Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Balance of Stroke Patients in the Standing Posture

[Purpose] The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) according to the treatment position (standing and supine) on patients after stroke. [Subjects] Nine (men=6, women=3) patients who had suffered from stroke were recruited. They were all in their subacute stage. [Methods] Participants were divided into 2 groups according to the position for treatment by FES (standing group and supine group). The duration of FES in both groups was 30 minutes, 6 times a week for 8 weeks. The subjects were evaluated every 2 weeks for 8 weeks using the timed up-and-go test (TUG). Berg balance test (BBT) and FES intensity to induce maximum muscle contraction. [Results] The standing group showed greater improvements in balance ability than the supine group as assessed by TUG and BBT. The time of TUG was significantly reduced from 30.25 +/- 5.0 to 20.73 +/- 3.9 in the standing group and from 31.99 +/- 3.6 to 26.40 +/- 4.5 in the supine group after 8 weeks. The scores of BBT significantly increased from 28.0 +/- 8.8 to 45.6 +/- 5.9 in the standing group and from 26.25 +/- 5.9 to 37.5 +/- 3.7 in the supine group after 8 weeks. The FES intensity significantly changed from 48.4 +/- 12.4 mA to 36.8 +/- 11.9 mA in the standing group and from 48.8 +/- 13.5 mA to 43.75 +/- 11.8 mA in the supine group after 8 weeks. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the standing position is more beneficial to the recovery of balance ability after stroke than the supine position.