Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation with Gastrocnemius Strengthening on Foot Morphology in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) with gastrocnemius (GCM) strength exercise on foot morphology in patients with stroke. Herein, 31 patients with chronic stroke meeting the study criteria were enrolled and divided into two groups; 16 patients were randomized to the gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation (GCMNMES) group, and 15 patients to the conventional neuromuscular electrical stimulation (CNMES) group. The GCMNMES group conducted GCM-strengthening exercise with NMES. CNMES group conducted NMES at paretic tibialis anterior muscle with ankle dorsiflexion movement. These patients underwent therapeutic interventions lasting 30 min/session, five times a week for 4 weeks. To analyze changes in foot morphology, 3D foot scanning was used, while a foot-pressure measurement device was used to evaluate foot pressure and weight-bearing area. In an intra-group comparison of 3D-foot-scanning results, the experimental group showed significant changes in longitudinal arch angle (p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p < 0.05). Thus, NMES with GCM-strengthening exercises yielded positive effects on foot morphology in patients with stroke.

Keywords

• gastrocnemius
• foot morphology
• neuromuscular electrical stimulation
• stroke