Electrical Stimulation as a Treatment of Lower Limb Spasticity

Abstract

Twenty-two patients suffering for more than 2 years from spasticity in the lower limbs that was resistant to medicinal treatment were treated with electrical stimulation. Stimulation was performed above the peroneal nerve or directly above the motor point of the anterior tibial muscle. After a mean observation period of 1 year, 18 patients still had subj ective improvement and continued stimulation. Measurements of reflexes were used to evaluate 13 patients both before and 4 weeks after the start of the stimulation treatment. In 20 legs, a significant increase of the threshold of flexor reflex was seen. The mechanism behind the depression of spasticity after electrical stimulation is discussed.