Effects of electric stimulation and proprioceptive neurofunctional facilitation on the gait of hemiparetics

Abstract

Introduction: Gait training for the recovery of the hemiparetic patient plays a fundamental role for their return to daily living activities. Thus, research on new techniques and the development of studies that result in improvement in gait and balance for this population are of value to ensure them greater functional independence, less dependence on their relatives and, probably, improvement on quality of life. Objective: To examine the influence of the concomitant use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) on the gait of volunteers who suffered a stroke at least 18 months prior to their engagement in the study. Materials and Methods: In this series of cases study, the intentional sample composed of three subjects with spastic hemiparesis (two men) was treated in 16 sessions of domiciliary physical therapy, in which PNF techniques and the FES were concomitantly applied. The subjects were assessed before the first and after the last treatment session. The volunteers’ gait was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG). Results: After treatment, the three volunteers presented an important decrease on the time spent on the TUG (volunteer 1= 10,5%; volunteer 2= 14,3%; volunteer 3= 19,2%) and an improvement on their gait pattern. Conclusion: The concurrent use of PNF and FES brought about gains through improvement in mobility and gait pattern in a period when no functional gains were expected to happen to hemiparetic patients.