Foot drop in MS: Experiences of using functional electrical stimulation (FES) or orthotic devices

Summary

Foot drop is a symptom experienced by some people with multiple sclerosis. It is caused by a disruption in the nerve pathway to and from the brain, which results in an inability to lift the foot and toes properly when walking. To improve walking and reduce the risk of trips or falls, foot drop can be treated using two types of device. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) uses small electrical charges to force the foot into a more natural position for walking. An ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) is a device made of plastic or carbon fibre that holds the foot and ankle in a correct position during walking.

This study aimed to explore the experiences and satisfaction with FES and AFO in people with MS who had foot drop.

10 participants took part in the study and were split into two groups, the first group was made up of people using FES (six participants) and the second used AFO (four participants). The groups were questioned and encouraged to discuss their experiences of using the devices.

A similar number of positive and negative aspects were described for FES and AFO. In both groups the participants said that their device had reduced their fatigue, improved their gait (the pattern of walking), reduced trips and falls and increased their confidence. The negative aspects mentioned by both groups included the implications for shoes and clothing, for example users had found it difficult to concealtheir device under their clothes for social occasions.

In conclusion both groups considered that the benefits to them from wearing the device were more important and outweighed any problems.

This study highlights the importance of a health professional taking the individual's experiences and preferences into account, when selecting and prescribing a device to manage foot drop.

Source: http://www.mstrust.org.uk/research/updates/articles/update140520.jsp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=MS+Trust&utm_campaign=4174715_Research+update+140520+AGAIN&dm_i=157R,2HH8B,EDBPM9,91P2X,1#item01

Bulley C, Mercer TH, Hooper JE , et al.
Experiences of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) for foot-drop in people with multiple sclerosis..
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2014 May 6. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract