The Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection in the Rectus Femoris in Stroke Patients Walking With a Stiff Knee Gait: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Over activity of the rectus femoris is often cited as a main cause for stiff knee gait (SKG). Botulinum toxin (BoNT) can be used to reduce this over activity. Inconsistent results for the effect of BoNT injections were found in literature which can possibly be explained by the study design as these were uncontrolled or non-randomized studies.

Influence of functional electrical stimulation of the hamstrings on knee kinematics in stroke survivors walking with stiff knee gait.

Objective: To explore whether functional electrical stimulation of the hamstrings results in improved knee kinematics in chronic stroke survivors walking with a stiff knee gait.

Design: Quasi-experimental.

Subjects: Sixteen adult chronic stroke survivors.

Effect of chemodenervation of the rectus femoris muscle in adults with a stiff knee gait due to spastic paresis: a systematic review with a meta-analysis in patients with stroke.

Objective: To determine the effect of motor branch block (MBB) or neuromuscular block (NMB) of the rectus femoris on knee kinematics during swing, functional outcome, and energy cost in adults with spastic paresis presenting a stiff knee gait.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were searched. Studies were collected up to February 26, 2013.

Effects of an implantable two-channel peroneal nerve stimulator versus conventional walking device on spatiotemporal parameters and kinematics of hemiparetic gait.

Objective: The aims of this study were: (i) to compare the neuro-prosthetic effect of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation to the orthotic effect of a standard of care intervention (no device, shoe or ankle foot orthosis) on walking, as assessed by spatiotemporal parameters; and (ii) to examine whether there is evidence of an enhanced lower-limb flexion reflex with peroneal nerve stimulation and compare the kinematic effect of an implantable peroneal nerve stimulation device vs standard of care intervention on initial loading response of the paretic limb, as assessed by hip, knee and ankle kinematics.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects: A total of 23 chronic stroke survivors with drop foot.

The effect of FES of the tibial nerve on physiological activation of leg muscles during gait.

The effects of surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the tibial nerve of healthy subjects were evaluated. The FES was applied at three different times during gait: early, mid and late stances. The purpose of this work is to understand the effect of unilateral stimulation on the bilateral activation patterns of leg muscles, because FES is used in practice to improve gait, while associated neuromuscular change is not often measured.

Interaction of artificial and physiological activation of the gastrocnemius during gait.

Objectives.  The purpose of this research was to understand the effects of surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the tibial nerve on the activation of the gastrocnemius medialis of the stimulated side. Methods.

Therapeutic effect of an implantable peroneal nerve stimulator in subjects with chronic stroke and footdrop: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: Footdrop, characterized by a person's inability to raise the foot at the ankle, is a common problem in patients with stroke. A randomized controlled trial was performed to determine the therapeutic effect of using a new implantable, 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator for 6 months versus an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO).

Subjects: Twenty-nine patients with chronic stroke and footdrop participated in the study.

A randomized controlled trial of an implantable 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator on walking speed and activity in poststroke hemiplegia.

Objective: To determine the effect of a new implantable 2-channel peroneal nerve stimulator on walking speed and daily activities, in comparison with the usual treatment in chronic stroke survivors with a drop foot.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: All subjects were measured 5 times in the gait laboratory.

An implantable two channel drop foot stimulator: initial clinical results.

This article reports preliminary results of pilot studies of a new implantable two channel drop foot stimulator. The stimulator consists of an externally worn transmitter inductively coupled to an implanted receiver unit located in the lower leg, lateral and distal to the knee. The receiver is connected to electrodes located under the epineurium of the deep and the superficial peroneal nerves.