Сomplex rehabilitation of walking function in central paresis of the lower limb using neuroprosthetic technology

Disability after a stroke is most often associated with decreased patient activity due to walking disorder. In case of severe paresis, the function of the limb in the early stages of recovery is advisable to support with the help of partial prosthetics, using methods that provide functional stimulation. The complex treatment of central paresis includes botulinum therapy, which is due to the high incidence of spasticity.

Aim: of the study: evaluation of the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation in a complex of multimodal effects in restoring movement in stroke patients with lower limb paresis.

Materials and methods: Stimulation and neuroprosthetic methods (“Bioness L300”) were used as the main therapeutic program of rehabilitation treatment for patients with motor disorders of the lower limb after an ischemic stroke (n = 70). The median period of stroke was 21 [11; 47] days, median age 54 [42; 65] years. Scales and questionnaires were used to assess the loss of strength and volume of movement disorders, spasticity, walking speed and self-care (Medical Research Council Weakness Scale (1981, MRC), Barthel Index (1965), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), 10-meter test).

Results: The effectiveness of personalized therapy with the use of a neuroprothesis (“Bioness L300”) in patients in the acute and early recovery period of ischemic stroke was shown. The additional use of botulinum toxin made it possible to eliminate the inhibitory effect of spasticity, which expanded the possibility of using intensive methods of physical rehabilitation. There was an increase in daily activity, walking speed, and the level of self-care of patients in 90 % of cases.

Conclusion: The use of a complex of stimulating personalized techniques in the acute period of a stroke is justified and safe. The functional electrical stimulation helps to overcome power paresis, increases the overall level of physical activity of patients after a stroke, motivation for recovery and improves the quality of life. (1 figure, 2 tables, bibliography: 9 refs)