Functional Electrical Stimulation for People With Multiple Sclerosis Who Experience Foot Drop

People with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) often experience 'foot-drop' which means that the foot is not adequately lifted during the so-called swing phase (foot is off the ground) during walking which can lead to trips and falls. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to the shin muscles will aid lifting of the foot and therefore reduces the risk of trips and falls. There have been several studies showing the benefits of FES to the walking of pwMS. The proposed study aims to optimise the FES prescription and fitting care pathway for pwMS in Edinburgh and the Lothians This will be achieved firstly through a survey to all clients with MS in the last 5 years who have been regarded as suitable for FES. Secondly, a pilot study will assess the suitability of the use of simple clinical measurement (electrogoniometry) which will allow the measurement of the degree of foot-drop. The degree is foot drop is usually assessed by the physiotherapist using visual observation. Using a small device which can be quickly fitted to the patient's lower and foot for the duration of a 2-6 minute walk, the physiotherapist will be able to quantify the degree of foot drop over time. Such a measurement is especially important for people with MS who are often affected by increased mental and physical fatigue. Our first hypothesis is that the degree of foot-drop at the end of the walk is increased compared to the start of the walk. Secondly, we hypothesise that the degree of foot drop is less when the participant walks with the assistance of Functional Electrical Stimulation at their next clinical appointment.