Impact of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Balance, Walking, and Fall Risk in Adults with Chronic Stroke

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how neuromuscular electrical stimulation NMES, specifically functional electrical stimulation FES, affects reactive balance and walking in people who have had a stroke. The study focuses on individuals with chronic stroke who experience foot drop and muscle weakness, which lead to slower, less stable walking and increased risk of falls. The goal is to see if stimulating certain lower limb muscles can improve movement and balance following slips or trips. Participants will undergo two sessions the first includes screening, and the second involves testing with FES applied to various muscles on the weaker side of the body. During the study, participants will experience slip- and trip-like disturbances while walking on specialized equipment and in outdoor settings, with and without FES. The stimulation is controlled by software that times muscle activation to match walking phases and perturbations, using adjustable intensities and frequencies. Throughout the study, participants will perform standardized walking tests and experience controlled balance disturbances while researchers measure balance recovery and walking parameters. Data collected include fall occurrences, step timing, stability measures, and walking speed. The study also monitors safety factors like heart rate and oxygen levels. Participation involves two main sessions, and the research team will analyze how FES influences balance and gait in stroke survivors.

Effect of NMES on Balance and Fall Risk in Chronic Stroke