Multi-pad stimulation device for treating foot drop: Case study

Many individuals with stroke express gait abnormalities and reduction of daily living activities. One of techniques for treating lower limb disabilities for improving gait patterns is functional electrical stimulation (FES). The purpose of this case report is to describe the development of FES system based on multi-pad electrodes for foot drop correction during gait and to demonstrate its use in improving gait quality of hémiplégie patients. Stimulation optimization and triggering is based on feedback from inertial sensor positioned on the patient's paretic foot. The main features are fast and reliable optimization of stimulation patterns for achieving strong dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. One hémiplégie patient participated in the 6 months case study. The functional improvement of the patient's gait was tracked during the course of the therapy. Observed indicators of rehabilitation efficiency were gait velocity, number of steps and angular velocity of ankle joint during 10 m gait test.