Welcome back to the ORIEMS FIT Research Digest—your source for fascinating and simple explanations of the latest research. Today, we’re exploring an exciting study about Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and how it helps people recovering from strokes improve their movement, strength, and overall quality of life. Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

What Is This Research About?

Research Title: Comparing the effects of functional electrical stimulation with different frequencies and time duration to improve lower extremity muscle strength, gait, balance, posture control, and quality of life among stroke patients.

Authors: Kiran Khushnood, Saira Waqqar, Ikram Ali

Institutions:

• University of Porto, (Esablished in 1911) Portugal
• Foundation University Islamabad, (Established in 2002) Pakistan

These universities are respected worldwide for their expertise in physical therapy and rehabilitation research. The study is a systematic review, which means it analyzed multiple trials to ensure the results were reliable and comprehensive.

Why Does This Matter?

This study focuses on how Funtional ES—a therapy that delivers small electrical signals to muscles—helps stroke survivors improve essential functions like walking, balance, and muscle strength. It’s a non-invasive method and can even be used at home with guidance.

Who Was Studied?

• Participants: Stroke patients aged 45 to 80 years, with stroke onset ranging from a few months to over six months.
• Method: Funtional ES was applied to the lower limbs with varying frequencies (10–65 Hz) and pulse durations (100–400 microseconds) for periods of 2 to 12 weeks.

What Did They Find?

The study revealed several specific improvements in people who used FES compared to those who didn’t. Let’s look at the exact numbers:

1. Walking Speed & Endurance:

   • Participants improved their walking speed by up to 45% after 12 weeks of FES therapy.
   • A 6-minute walking test showed an increase in distance walked from 161 meters to 218 meters.

2. Muscle Strength:

   • Strength in key lower limb muscles increased significantly. For example, dorsiflexor strength improved by 60% compared to just 19% in the control group.

3. Balance:

   • Balance scores on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) rose from 15.9 to 46.4 in some cases—showing a huge improvement in stability and fall prevention.
   • The Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), which measures walking ability, jumped from 1.1 to 2.6 in participants using FES.

4. Postural Control:

   • FES improved posture control scores by 50% in as little as three weeks, making activities like standing and transferring weight easier.

5. Spasticity Reduction:

   • Muscle stiffness (spasticity) decreased significantly. One measure, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), showed a reduction of 0.8 points, which is clinically meaningful for smoother movement.

6. Daily Life Activities:

   • Functional Independence Scores (Barthel Index) improved from 48.9 to 80.3, meaning participants became more independent in daily tasks like dressing and bathing.

Why Is This Important for EMS Users?

While this study focuses on Funtional ES, a niche of the core EMS technology and work on the principle of electrical stimulation.

The findings suggest that using electrical stimulation consistently can help:

• Improve strength in weaker muscles.
• Enhance mobility and endurance for daily tasks.
• Reduce discomfort and muscle stiffness, leading to smoother movements.

This research provides hope that electrical stimulation technology can support recovery and enhance quality of life.

Curious to Learn More?

You can find the full research article here: Study Link.

This blog is part of our ORIEMS FIT Research Digest series, where we explore fascinating studies to inspire curiosity and help you learn more about technology and health. Our mission is to keep you informed and excited about possibilities for improving your well-being.

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Disclaimer

This post is for informational and recreational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personal advice. Full disclaimer: ORIEMS FIT Disclaimer.