Functional Electrical Stimulation Combined With Reactive Balance Training for Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomised Clinical Trial.
Matthew G Heffernan, Katherine Chan, Jonguk Lee et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomised clinical trial compared reactive balance training (RBT) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) against RBT alone in 22 people with chronic motor-incomplete spinal cord injury. Participants completed 18 one-hour sessions over 6 weeks, with outcomes assessed after training and at 6 months. Both groups improved over time in reactive stepping and most clinical balance-related measures, but there were no significant group or group-by-time differences. The FES protocol therefore showed no additional benefit over RBT alone, and fall-tracking data did not differ significantly between groups.
Key findings
- Across both groups, single-step and fall responses on the Lean-and-Release test improved over time (P ≤ .01).
- Clinical outcomes improved over time (P ≤ .01), except for ankle proprioception.
- No significant group or group-by-time interactions were found, indicating similar improvements with RBT + FES and RBT alone.
- Fall-tracking data showed no significant between-group differences.
Why it matters
Reactive stepping difficulty can contribute to fall risk after motor-incomplete spinal cord injury. The findings suggest that structured reactive balance training may improve stepping responses and several balance-related outcomes in this population. They also indicate that adding the tested FES protocol did not produce measurable gains beyond training alone, helping clarify the potential role of stimulation as an adjunct.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 22 participants, and the abstract reports no significant between-group differences; it does not establish whether other FES protocols or populations would have different results.