Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop

Sarah Prenton; Laurence P J Kenney; Claire Stapleton; Glen Cooper; Mark L. Reeves; Ben W. Heller; Mohammad Sobuh; Anthony T. Barker; Jamie Healey; Timothy R. Good; Sibylle B. Thies; David Howard; Tracey Williamson

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027

Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop

Sarah Prenton, Laurence P J Kenney, Claire Stapleton, Glen Cooper, Mark L. Reeves, Ben W. Heller, Mohammad Sobuh, Anthony T. Barker, Jamie Healey, Timothy R. Good, Sibylle B. Thies, David Howard, Tracey Williamson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility of unsupervised community use of an array-based automated setup functional electrical stimulator for current foot-drop functional electrical stimulation (FES) users.

Design Feasibility study.

Setting Gait laboratory and community use.

Participants Participants (N=7) with diagnosis of unilateral foot-drop of central neurologic origin (>6mo) who were regular users of a foot-drop FES system (>3mo).

Intervention Array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop (ShefStim).

Main Outcome Measures Logged usage, logged automated setup times for the array-based automated setup FES system and diary recording of problems experienced, all collected in the community environment. Walking speed, ankle angles at initial contact, foot clearance during swing, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2.0 (QUEST version 2.0) questionnaire, all collected in the gait laboratory.

Results All participants were able to use the array-based automated setup FES system. Total setup time took longer than participants' own FES systems, and automated setup time was longer than in a previous study of a similar system. Some problems were experienced, but overall, participants were as satisfied with this system as their own FES system. The increase in walking speed (N=7) relative to no stimulation was comparable between both systems, and appropriate ankle angles at initial contact (N=7) and foot clearance during swing (n=5) were greater with the array-based automated setup FES system.

Conclusions This study demonstrates that an array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop can be successfully used unsupervised. Despite setup's taking longer and some problems, users are satisfied with the system and it would appear as effective, if not better, at addressing the foot-drop impairment. Further product development of this unique system, followed by a larger-scale and longer-term study, is required before firm conclusions about its efficacy can be reached.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1870-1877
Number of pages	8
Journal	Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume	95
Issue number	10
Early online date	17 May 2014
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2014
Externally published	Yes

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Prenton, S., Kenney, L. P. J., Stapleton, C., Cooper, G., Reeves, M. L., Heller, B. W., Sobuh, M., Barker, A. T., Healey, J., Good, T. R., Thies, S. B., Howard, D., & Williamson, T. (2014). Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95(10), 1870-1877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027

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title = "Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop",

abstract = "Objective To investigate the feasibility of unsupervised community use of an array-based automated setup functional electrical stimulator for current foot-drop functional electrical stimulation (FES) users.Design Feasibility study.Setting Gait laboratory and community use.Participants Participants (N=7) with diagnosis of unilateral foot-drop of central neurologic origin (>6mo) who were regular users of a foot-drop FES system (>3mo).Intervention Array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop (ShefStim).Main Outcome Measures Logged usage, logged automated setup times for the array-based automated setup FES system and diary recording of problems experienced, all collected in the community environment. Walking speed, ankle angles at initial contact, foot clearance during swing, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2.0 (QUEST version 2.0) questionnaire, all collected in the gait laboratory.Results All participants were able to use the array-based automated setup FES system. Total setup time took longer than participants' own FES systems, and automated setup time was longer than in a previous study of a similar system. Some problems were experienced, but overall, participants were as satisfied with this system as their own FES system. The increase in walking speed (N=7) relative to no stimulation was comparable between both systems, and appropriate ankle angles at initial contact (N=7) and foot clearance during swing (n=5) were greater with the array-based automated setup FES system.Conclusions This study demonstrates that an array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop can be successfully used unsupervised. Despite setup's taking longer and some problems, users are satisfied with the system and it would appear as effective, if not better, at addressing the foot-drop impairment. Further product development of this unique system, followed by a larger-scale and longer-term study, is required before firm conclusions about its efficacy can be reached.",

keywords = "Electric stimulation therapy, Gait disorders, neurologic, Hemiplegia, Peroneal nerve, Rehabilitation",

author = "Sarah Prenton and Kenney, {Laurence P J} and Claire Stapleton and Glen Cooper and Reeves, {Mark L.} and Heller, {Ben W.} and Mohammad Sobuh and Barker, {Anthony T.} and Jamie Healey and Good, {Timothy R.} and Thies, {Sibylle B.} and David Howard and Tracey Williamson",

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doi = "10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027",

language = "English",

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Prenton, S, Kenney, LPJ, Stapleton, C, Cooper, G, Reeves, ML, Heller, BW, Sobuh, M, Barker, AT, Healey, J, Good, TR, Thies, SB, Howard, D & Williamson, T 2014, 'Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop', Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 95, no. 10, pp. 1870-1877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027

Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop. / Prenton, Sarah; Kenney, Laurence P J; Stapleton, Claire et al.

In: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 95, No. 10, 01.10.2014, p. 1870-1877.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop

AU - Prenton, Sarah

AU - Kenney, Laurence P J

AU - Stapleton, Claire

AU - Cooper, Glen

AU - Reeves, Mark L.

AU - Heller, Ben W.

AU - Sobuh, Mohammad

AU - Barker, Anthony T.

AU - Healey, Jamie

AU - Good, Timothy R.

AU - Thies, Sibylle B.

AU - Howard, David

AU - Williamson, Tracey

PY - 2014/10/1

Y1 - 2014/10/1

N2 - Objective To investigate the feasibility of unsupervised community use of an array-based automated setup functional electrical stimulator for current foot-drop functional electrical stimulation (FES) users.Design Feasibility study.Setting Gait laboratory and community use.Participants Participants (N=7) with diagnosis of unilateral foot-drop of central neurologic origin (>6mo) who were regular users of a foot-drop FES system (>3mo).Intervention Array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop (ShefStim).Main Outcome Measures Logged usage, logged automated setup times for the array-based automated setup FES system and diary recording of problems experienced, all collected in the community environment. Walking speed, ankle angles at initial contact, foot clearance during swing, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2.0 (QUEST version 2.0) questionnaire, all collected in the gait laboratory.Results All participants were able to use the array-based automated setup FES system. Total setup time took longer than participants' own FES systems, and automated setup time was longer than in a previous study of a similar system. Some problems were experienced, but overall, participants were as satisfied with this system as their own FES system. The increase in walking speed (N=7) relative to no stimulation was comparable between both systems, and appropriate ankle angles at initial contact (N=7) and foot clearance during swing (n=5) were greater with the array-based automated setup FES system.Conclusions This study demonstrates that an array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop can be successfully used unsupervised. Despite setup's taking longer and some problems, users are satisfied with the system and it would appear as effective, if not better, at addressing the foot-drop impairment. Further product development of this unique system, followed by a larger-scale and longer-term study, is required before firm conclusions about its efficacy can be reached.

AB - Objective To investigate the feasibility of unsupervised community use of an array-based automated setup functional electrical stimulator for current foot-drop functional electrical stimulation (FES) users.Design Feasibility study.Setting Gait laboratory and community use.Participants Participants (N=7) with diagnosis of unilateral foot-drop of central neurologic origin (>6mo) who were regular users of a foot-drop FES system (>3mo).Intervention Array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop (ShefStim).Main Outcome Measures Logged usage, logged automated setup times for the array-based automated setup FES system and diary recording of problems experienced, all collected in the community environment. Walking speed, ankle angles at initial contact, foot clearance during swing, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2.0 (QUEST version 2.0) questionnaire, all collected in the gait laboratory.Results All participants were able to use the array-based automated setup FES system. Total setup time took longer than participants' own FES systems, and automated setup time was longer than in a previous study of a similar system. Some problems were experienced, but overall, participants were as satisfied with this system as their own FES system. The increase in walking speed (N=7) relative to no stimulation was comparable between both systems, and appropriate ankle angles at initial contact (N=7) and foot clearance during swing (n=5) were greater with the array-based automated setup FES system.Conclusions This study demonstrates that an array-based automated setup FES system for foot-drop can be successfully used unsupervised. Despite setup's taking longer and some problems, users are satisfied with the system and it would appear as effective, if not better, at addressing the foot-drop impairment. Further product development of this unique system, followed by a larger-scale and longer-term study, is required before firm conclusions about its efficacy can be reached.

KW - Electric stimulation therapy

KW - Gait disorders, neurologic

KW - Hemiplegia

KW - Peroneal nerve

KW - Rehabilitation

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DO - 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027

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Prenton S, Kenney LPJ, Stapleton C, Cooper G, Reeves ML, Heller BW et al. Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2014 Oct 1;95(10):1870-1877. Epub 2014 May 17. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.04.027

Feasibility study of a take-home array-based functional electrical stimulation system with automated setup for current functional electrical stimulation users with foot-drop

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