Gait orthosis lokomat combined with functional electrical stimulation for foot drop correction: A feasibility study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of combining Lokomat based gait training with functional electrical stimulation (FES) to correct foot drop. An individual who suffered a stroke and two healthy subjects participated in the experiment. Transcutaneous functional electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve was synchronized to Lokomat to support dorsiflexion of the foot during the swing phase of the gait cycle. The results showed a lift of the foot in the hemiparetic side of the patient during the swing phase, with a significant increase of the mean ankle angle when training in Lokomat with FES compared to training in Lokomat without FES (p<0.001). The system combining Lokomat and FES for correcting foot drop proved to function as expected and supported a functional gait.