Automyoelectric control of functional electrical stimulation on the tibialis anterior:a pilot study with stroke patients

Thorsen, Rune, Burridge, Jane, Donaldson, Nick, Ferrain, Maurizio, Norton, Johnathan and Veltink, Peter (2001) Automyoelectric control of functional electrical stimulation on the tibialis anterior:a pilot study with stroke patients. Artificial Organs, 26 (3), 287. (doi:10.1046/j.1525-1594.2002.00904.x).

Abstract

In this study of 9 subjects with dropped foot as a result of hemiplegia following stroke electromyographic (EMG) signals from the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were used to control functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the same TA muscle group. The technique has been termed automyoelectric control of FES (AutoMeCFES). EMG signals were recorded using surface electrodes and processed digitally to allow continuous control of the amplitude of FES applied to the common peroneal nerve. Isometric force of dorsiflexion was measured with the patient sitting and the leg hanging freely with the knee at approximately 90°. A tracking test was used to compare the control and amplitude of the ankle torque with and without stimulation. Seven of the nine patients had increased torque amplitude of whom 3 had increased control with the system. An immediate carryover effect was seen in 1 subject. It is concluded that for selected patients AutoMeCFES can increase the muscle force of TA without compromising control.

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