Effects of gait triggered functional electrical stimulation on motor function of lower extremities in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy

Objective: To observe the effect of gait triggered functional electrical stimulation(FES) on motor function of lower extremities in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy(CP). Method: Twenty-five spastic diplegia CP children were randomly divided into FES group(n=14) and control group(n=11). All children were treated with motor training and physical therapy. In addition, control group re- ceived walking training for 30 min once a day, 5d per week, 12 weeks in total. In the first 6 weeks, FES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) on bilateral common peroneal nerve and 30 min walking training were proceeded once a day, 5d per week. In the next 6 weeks, FES group received walking training for 30 min once a day, 5d per week. Modified Ashworth scale(MAS), range of motion(ROM) of an- kle active dorsiflexion motion and D and E domains of gross motor function measure(GMFM-88) were evalu- ated at the beginning and at the end of the 6th and 12th week of treatment course respectively. Result: ROM of ankle and D domain of GMFM-88 score increased in both groups at the end of 6th and 12th week of treatment(P0.05 or 0.01); In FES group MAS and E domain of GMFM-88 score significantly increased at the end of the 6th and 12th week of treatment, while in control group increased only after 12 weeks of treatment(P0.05 or 0.01). Compared with control group, MAS and ROM of ankle as well as D and E domains of GMFM-88 scores in FES group children significantly improved at the end of the 6th and 12th week of treatment(P0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion: FES in combination with rehabilitation functional training in the treatment for children with spas- tic diplegia CP can decrease the muscle tone of lower extremities and improve the range of ankle active mo- tion, as well as the motor function of lower extremities.