RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Wearable technologies have been developed for healthy aging. The technology for electromyography (EMG)-controlled functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems has been developed, but research on how helpful it is in daily life has been insufficient. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the EMG-controlled FES system on muscle morphology, balance, and gait in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-nine older adults were evaluated under two randomly assigned conditions (non-FES and FES assists). Muscle morphology, balance, gait function, and muscle effort during gait were measured using ultrasonography, a physical test, a gait analysis system, and EMG. RESULTS: The EMG-controlled FES system improved gait speed by 11.1% and cadence by 15.6% (P< 0.01). The symmetry ratio of the bilateral gastrocnemius was improved by 9.9% in the stance phase and 11.8% in the swing phase (P< 0.05). The degrees of coactivation of the knee and ankle muscles were reduced by 45.1% and 50.5%, respectively (P< 0.05). Balance improved by 6-10.7% (P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The EMG-controlled FES system is useful for balance and gait function by increasing muscle symmetry and decreasing muscle coactivation during walking in older adults.
Asunto(s)
Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica , Dispositivos Electrónicos Vestibles , Anciano , Estimulación Eléctrica , Electromiografía , Marcha/fisiología , Humanos , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There are many land-based or aquatic exercise programs for improving trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living in stroke patients. However, no study has reported the effects of an exercise program that combines land-based and aquatic trunk exercises in stroke patients. AIM: To investigate the effects of a land-based and aquatic trunk exercise (LATE) program on trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients. DESIGN: This study was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation ward, Goyang, Republic of Korea. POPULATION: Twenty-nine patients participated in this study. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to the LATE group (N.=14) and control group (N.=15). The LATE program consisted of land-based and aquatic trunk exercises, performed for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks as an adjunct to 30 minutes of conventional physical therapy. The control group underwent only conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes each time, twice per day, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. The participants were tested before and after the intervention using the Korean Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) and the 5-item, 3-level Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS-3L) to assess trunk control; the 7-item, 3-level Berg Balance Scale (BBS-3L) and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) to evaluate balance; and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) to assess activities of daily living. RESULTS: The LATE group exhibited improvements in K-TIS, PASS-3L, BBS-3L, and MBI scores and FRT distance compared with the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the LATE program can help improve trunk control, balance, and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients and may be used as a practical adjunct to conventional physical therapy. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The LATE program can improve postural control in stroke patients and improve independence in daily activities.