Session 3C: Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling on the Physiological Functions, Walking Performance, and Body Composition of Persons with Severe Multiple Sclerosis
Session Number
Session 3C: 3rd Presentation
Advisor(s)
Lara Pilutti, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location
Room A151
Start Date
28-4-2017 1:15 PM
End Date
28-4-2017 2:30 PM
Abstract
Advanced MS patients experience severe ambulatory impairments and require specialized exercise equipment. One option is functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, which electrically stimulates leg muscles to elicit movement on the leg-ergometer. Methods/Design: The randomized controlled trial recruited 11 people with severe MS (EDSS 6.0-6.5). Participants were randomized into either the FES cycling condition or the passive cycling condition in which electrical stimulation was not delivered, but the leg ergometer were controlled by a motor. The intervention was delivered 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Participants’ walking speed, endurance, and agility were assessed through mobility tests, and body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Body composition remained stable over the 3-month period. The passive cycling group had a moderate increase in time taken to walk 25 feet and a moderate decrease in distance travelled during a 2-minute walk test. The passive cycling group had a moderate to large decrease in oxygen used during exercise (VO2), time to exhaustion, and work rate. The only significant difference for the FES group was a large increase in peak flexor strength. Small changes between baseline and final testing may be attributed to the small sample size (n=11) and short training period.
Session 3C: Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling on the Physiological Functions, Walking Performance, and Body Composition of Persons with Severe Multiple Sclerosis
Room A151
Advanced MS patients experience severe ambulatory impairments and require specialized exercise equipment. One option is functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, which electrically stimulates leg muscles to elicit movement on the leg-ergometer. Methods/Design: The randomized controlled trial recruited 11 people with severe MS (EDSS 6.0-6.5). Participants were randomized into either the FES cycling condition or the passive cycling condition in which electrical stimulation was not delivered, but the leg ergometer were controlled by a motor. The intervention was delivered 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Participants’ walking speed, endurance, and agility were assessed through mobility tests, and body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Body composition remained stable over the 3-month period. The passive cycling group had a moderate increase in time taken to walk 25 feet and a moderate decrease in distance travelled during a 2-minute walk test. The passive cycling group had a moderate to large decrease in oxygen used during exercise (VO2), time to exhaustion, and work rate. The only significant difference for the FES group was a large increase in peak flexor strength. Small changes between baseline and final testing may be attributed to the small sample size (n=11) and short training period.