Effect of FES of Back Muscles on Spinal Posture and Gait in Hemiplegia

Effect of FES of Back Muscles on Spinal Posture and Gait in Hemiplegia

Hemiplegic patient have unbalanced posture because paralysis leads to muscle atrophy, which then causes an unbalanced alignment in the structure of spinal joints. Evaluation and therapy of postural alignment are important as early predictable factors in the overall daily function of stroke patients

To evaluate whether the application of FES of the back muscles in hemiplegic affect spinal posture and/or gait

Inclusion Criteria:

• 20 children with c.p. hemiplegia
• moving and performing daily activities independently
• no problems in terms of verbal communication
• no physical and cognitive restrictions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having cognitive impairment as tested by the Mini-Mental State Examination (with scores < 24)
• Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg)
• Joint replacement
• Incontinence