Improvement in functional ambulation as a therapeutic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation in hemiplegia: two case reports.

Two chronic stroke survivors who utilized an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) prior to study entry were evaluated at baseline and after 4 weeks of daily use of a surface peroneal nerve stimulator. Participants were assessed without their dorsiflexor assistive device, using the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile (mEFAP). The participants demonstrated improvement in all 5 components of the mEFAP relative to baseline. These case reports indicate that enhanced functional ambulation may be an important therapeutic effect of peroneal nerve stimulation. Potential mechanisms are discussed. Controlled trials are needed to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship.