Berkelmans Simone, Dominici Nadia, Afschrift Maarten, Bruijn Sjoerd, Janssen Thomas W J
Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre | Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
J Rehabil Med. 2025 May 26;57:jrm42638. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v57.42638.
The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of automated multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training was assessed in individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury, using an electrical stimulation suit with built-in surface electrodes and motion capture sensors (Teslasuit).
10-week functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training, twice weekly for 30 min.
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Five individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (≥ 12 months post-injury, ASIA C/D, minimal Walking Index Spinal Cord Injury II ≥ 9).
The quadriceps, gluteii, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles were stimulated bilaterally during gait. Feasibility and safety were evaluated via questionnaires, session adherence, and adverse events. Gait function was assessed using a 10 m walk test, Walking Index Spinal Cord Injury II, and Hoffer classification at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Surface electromyography and spatiotemporal parameters (walking speed, step length and width, cadence) were recorded during the 10 m walk test.
All participants completed the training (91% adherence) with no serious adverse events. Temporary skin redness, muscle soreness, and fatigue were reported by participants. Post-intervention, 4 participants increased their walking speed, step length, and cadence, with 2 maintaining and 2 further improving at follow-up. No consistent changes were found in muscle activity post training.
Automated multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training was feasible, safe, and well received. Preliminary findings suggest that gait improved in most participants, though individual responses varied. The results highlight the potential of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training as a valuable tool for enhancing gait recovery.
使用带有内置表面电极和运动捕捉传感器的电刺激套装（Teslasuit），评估自动多通道功能性电刺激辅助步态训练在慢性不完全性脊髓损伤患者中的可行性、安全性和有效性。
为期10周的功能性电刺激辅助步态训练，每周两次，每次30分钟。
受试者/患者：5名慢性不完全性脊髓损伤患者（损伤后≥12个月，美国脊髓损伤协会C/D级，脊髓损伤步行指数II级≥9）。
在步态过程中对双侧股四头肌、臀肌、腘绳肌、胫前肌和腓肠肌进行刺激。通过问卷调查、训练依从性和不良事件评估可行性和安全性。在基线、干预后和随访时，使用10米步行测试、脊髓损伤步行指数II级和霍夫尔分类法评估步态功能。在10米步行测试过程中记录表面肌电图和时空参数（步行速度、步长和步宽、步频）。
所有参与者均完成训练（依从率91%），无严重不良事件。参与者报告有短暂的皮肤发红、肌肉酸痛和疲劳。干预后，4名参与者的步行速度、步长和步频增加，2名在随访时保持不变，2名进一步改善。训练后肌肉活动未发现一致变化。
自动多通道功能性电刺激辅助步态训练是可行、安全且接受度良好的。初步研究结果表明，大多数参与者的步态有所改善，尽管个体反应有所不同。结果突出了多通道功能性电刺激辅助步态训练作为增强步态恢复的有价值工具的潜力。
