• Jane H Burridge, Khamis Elessi, Ruth M Pickering, and Paul N Taylor.
• University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Southampton, UK; and Salisbury District Hospital, National Clinical FES Center, Salisbury, UK.
• Neuromodulation. 2007 Jan 1;10(1):59-67.

AbstractObjectives.  To examine the effect of using a common peroneal stimulator on an even and an uneven surface, and to compare measures with perceived response to stimulation. Method.  Participants had a drop-foot caused by a stroke (N = 13) or multiple sclerosis (N = 7) and had used a common peroneal stimulator for > 3 months prior to the study. Walking speed and physiological cost index (PCI) were recorded under four conditions: with and without stimulation over an even and an uneven surface. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Results.  A statistically significant increase in walking speed and decrease in PCI was identified when the stimulator was used. There was a trend to greater improvement on the uneven compared to the even surface. A correlation between perceived benefit of stimulation and a measured decrease in PCI was detected. Conclusion.  Stimulation may be particularly beneficial for the more difficult task of walking on an uneven surface. Perceived benefit was related to a reduction in effort of walking, not in increased speed.

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