OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of WalkAide functional electrical stimulation on gait pattern and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Seventeen children were assigned to the study group, whose members received functional electrical stimulation (pulse width, 300 mus; frequency, 33 Hz, 2 hours/d, 3 days/week for 3 consecutive months). Seventeen other children were assigned to the control group, whose members participated in a conventional physical therapy exercise program for 3 successive months. Baseline and posttreatment assessments were performed using the GAITRite system to evaluate gait parameters and using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter to evaluate energy expenditure. RESULTS: Children in the study group showed a significant improvement when compared with those in the control group (p < 0.005). The gait parameters (stride length, cadence, speed, cycle time, and stance phase percentage) after treatment were (0.74m, 119 steps/min, 0.75m/s, 0.65s, 55.9%) and (0.5m, 125 steps/min, 0.6m/s, 0.49s, 50.4%) for the study group and control group, respectively. The mean energy expenditures after treatment were 8.18 +/- 0.88 and 9.16 +/- 0.65 mL/kg per minute for the study and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: WalkAide functional electrical stimulation may be a useful tool for improving gait pattern and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

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