O Uso da Estimulação Elétrica Funcional em Membro Inferior Parético

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is one of the main causes of death in the Brazilian adult population, with 80% having ischemic and 20% hemorrhagic origin. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the use of electric current to produce contractions of paralyzed or paretic muscles. Objective: To investigate whether there is difference in the FES application in the lower limb (MI) in the subacute phase compared to the chronic phase in post-stroke patients. Methods: A double-blind clinical trial was conducted with patients who had undergone stroke for 1 to 6 months for the subacute stroke group (GSA), and over 6 months for the chronic stroke group (CG), aged above 18 years and cognition. For the clinical evaluation, the following scales were performed: Berg Balance Scale, Fulg-Meyer Scale, Functional Independence Measurement Scale, Functional Ambulatory Scale, and Electron Microsurgery of the Anterior Tibial Muscle bilaterally. The intervention protocol consisted of FES in lower paresis of the anterior tibial muscle and fibular nerve by 20 ', performed 15 sessions, twice a week. Results: Significant results were obtained for the improvement of balance (p <0.0408) and motor functional independence (p <0.0240) and total (p <0.0115) in the group of subacute CVA. Conclusion: The use of FES was effective in promoting significant improvements in the balance and functional independence of hemiparetic individuals only in the subacute group.