| dc.description.abstract | Context: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is a rehabilitation method currently used among patients with spinal cord
injury, but its results are not well defined yet.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate comorbidities on the feet and ankles of
patients with spinal cord injuries who underwent Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES).
Methods: Between July 2020 and April 2021, 17 patients at the spinal cord injury ambulatory clinic who underwent NMES
(group A) were submitted to a clinical and radiographic assessment of their feet and ankles and compared with a spinal cord
injury group (group B) who did not undergo NMES and a group of able-bodied individuals (group C). The ANOVA test was
used to compare all the three groups and Mann-Whitney test and T test were used to investigate between-groups differences
(when p<0.05).
Results: The mean mobility of the subtalar and ankle joint was higher in group C than in groups A and B. Except for calcanealground angle, differences in the mean measurements of hallux-valgus, intermetatarsal, talocalcaneal, talus-first metatarsal and
tibial-calcaneal angles were statistically significant between groups A, B and C. Feet deformities, such as grade I ulcers on the
lateral malleolus and calcaneus, were found only in group B.
Conclusion: Partial-load NMES is beneficial for patients with SCI, improving range of motion, diminishing rigidity, and may
prevent complications such as pressure ulcers | |
