Peripheral magnetic stimulation and a knee-ankle-foot orthosis for stroke patients with severe hemiplegia

Objective To study the effects of peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with a knee-anklefoot orthosis (KAFO) for improving lower limb function in severe hemiplegia after stroke.Methods Sixty stroke patients with severe hemiplegia were randomly divided into treatment group and a control group with 30 in each.The patients in the control group received a conventional rehabilitation program including a KAFO.The patients in the treatment group received in addition magnetic stimulation of the iliopsoas muscle on the hemiplegic side.The treat ment of both groups lasted for 8 weeks.Lower limb motor function,balance,walking and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE),the Berg balance scale (BBS),functional ambulation classification (FAC) and the modified Barthel index (MBI) before and after treatment.Results After 8 weeks of treatment the FMA-LE,BBS,FAC and MBI scores had all improved signifi cantly in both groups,but the patients in the treatment group had improved significantly more than the controls.Conclusion Peripheral magnetic stimulation combined with a KAFO can improve motor function,balance,walking and ADL performance in stroke patients with severe hemiplegia better than a KAFO alone. Key words: Magnetic stimulation ;  Knee-ankle-foot orthoses ;  Stroke ;  Hemiplegia ;  Walking;  Balance;  Lower limbs