Plantar Pressure Measurement with FES V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Plantar Pressure Measurement to Determine the Effect of FES on Foot Stability in the Case of Dropped Foot
IRAS ID
148728
Contact name
Adam Shortland
Contact email
Research summary
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the use of electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves connecting to muscles, in order to elicit contractions of those muscles. FES is most commonly used as an orthotic to aid persons with dropped foot in walking.
In this application, FES has been shown to be beneficial to lift the foot during the swing phase of gait, improving quality of walking. However, research regarding its potential benefit during stance phase of gait within this application is limited.
This study aims to use plantar pressure measurements captured using a high frequency RS footscan system to determine the influence of FES on stability of the foot during stance. Plantar pressure measurement is the measurement of interface pressures between the sole of the foot and the ground during walking.
Participants recruited will be current FES users known to the FES service within ABMU Healthboard. The study will be conducted at the FES centre at Morriston Hospital, Swansea over a 4 month period.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
14/WA/0192
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion