Peroneal nerve conduction velocity after chronic electrical stimulation.

The effects of electric stimulation on nerve conduction velocity of the peroneal nerve via surgically implanted electrodes was evaluated in a group of nine hemiplegic patients. After a mean duration of 25 months nerve conduction velocity averaged 47.3 meters/sec in the uninvolved and 46.1 meters/sec in the stimulated (paretic) extremity. In a control group of ten hemiplegic subjects who did not receive stimulation, nerve conduction velocity averaged 43.1 meters/sec in the hemiplegic leg, and 41.3 meters/sec in the uninvolved leg. These differences were not statistically significant. Maximum dorsiflexion strength was increased in all patients following chronic stimulation.