The effectiveness of combining physiotherapy and electrical stimulation to improve mobility in recently discharged stroke patients

Institution:
Salisbury District Hospital
Principal Investigator:
Dr Paul Taylor
Region: South West
Grant value: £49,474.47 over 24 months
Start date: April 2007
Status: ongoing

This pilot study will focus on people who have problems walking following a recent stroke, and will try a new combination of treatment to help.

The treatment to be tested is the stimulation of lower limb muscle groups in physiotherapy sessions and at home, using a walking stimulator or a cyclical exercise stimulator. These devices produce movement in muscles via sticky electrodes placed on the skin and attached to a control box.

Thirty patients will be recruited for this trial and will be randomly allocated to two groups. One group will receive typical outpatient physiotherapy and one will receive physiotherapy and electrical stimulation.

They will be treated for six weeks then assessed to compare differences in walking speed and quality, and their ability to do things at home. Longer-term outcomes will also be monitored.

Results will help design a larger scale trial in the future and could improve outcomes for stroke patients.

With thanks to the Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation for supporting this award.

Classification:
Rehabilitation, Neurorehabilitation