The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cutaneous stimulation, provided by brushing, produces an immediate improvement in the range of voluntary maximum isolated dorsiflexion (MID) in hemiplegic subjects experiencing foot drop. It was hypothesized that brushing the skin overlying tibialis anterior for 30 seconds would augment tibialis anterior electromyalographic (EMG) activity, attenuate soleus activity, increase the range of MID, and demonstrate these effects within 30 minutes post-treatment. The active range of MID was measured with a photoelectric device. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. Group 1 received the brushing after a 30 minute control period in which they became familiar with the testing environment and completed a series of dorsiflexion contractions. Group 2 received brushing following four practice contractions that were completed soon after arriving in the laboratory. This design was employed to control for the effects of familiarisation with the testing environment. The results from group 1 indicated that brushing increased MID by 20%. Tibialis anterior integrated EMG increased 42 percent within 1 minute, and 22 percent in the interval 20 to 30 minutes after brushing. Group 2 failed to reveal these effects. Stabilizing the criterion measured by an adequate familiarization period and/or repeated contractions was essential for identification of treatment effects. It appears that brushing can be gainfully employed to provide short term facilitation of active isolated dorsiflexion in hemiplegic patients with at least stage 2 (Brunnstrom scale) of leg recovery.

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