Overview
To determine whether active cycling assisted by functional electrical stimulation (FES) Is more effective than active cycling on cardiovascular fitness in post stroke hemiparesis
Description
Design: In a monocentric, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, hemiparetic post stroke patients will be randomized to receive FES-induced cycling training or placebo FES cycling.
Setting: Neurologic Rehabilitation Unit Interventions: 30 minutes of active leg cycling with or without FES applied to the paretic rectus femoris of quadriceps and to the biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles and gluteus maximus, 3 times/weeks for 8 weeks. During training, participants will be seated on a FES-Cycle (Hepha Bike, Kurage): a cyclo-ergometer (Technogym) combined with a 8 channel controlled stimulator (Motimove-8).
In addition to the assigned group treatment, subjects will perform their own standard rehabilitation program.
Participants will be evaluated before training, after training, and at 3 month follow-up visit
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults with Hemiparesis after an unilateral first ever stroke
- Able to walk in security
- Time since stroke within 3 months to 1 year
- Sufficient cognitive function to understand and perform corresponding tasks
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any history of neurological disorders or cardiovascular instability
- High spasticity on ankle, knee, hip muscles
- Inability to exercise on a cyclo-ergometer
- Pacemaker and other contraindications of the use of electrical stimulation