A novel therapy for improving balance and reducing falls

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Many Canadians who have experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) have lifelong physical impairments, such as paralysis. This makes standing and maintaining ones balance difficult. Poor balance is associated with falls. About 70% of people living with stroke or SCI/D fall at least once/year. Falls result in injuries, hospital admissions and reduced quality of life. Our objective is to create a therapy using functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with video games that can effectively improve standing balance for people with a high fall risk. FES involves applying electrical currents to weak or paralyzed muscles. We have shown, in a small number of people with SCI/D, that FES combined with video games can improve standing balance. In the current project, we will develop a wireless FES system that can be easily used in hospitals and clinics. People with stroke or SCI/D, clinicians, researchers and representatives from industry will work together to develop the wireless system. Then we will test the system with twenty people living with stroke or SCI/D to study the systems effectiveness at improving balance ability. Participants will attend 18 training sessions over 6 weeks. Clinical and lab-based measures of balance ability will be collected before and after training. We will also ask ten physical therapists from three rehabilitation hospitals to learn how to use the wireless FES system and to try it with three of their clients. We will conduct interviews with the participants with stroke or SCI/D and physical therapists to collect their feedback on the usability of the wireless FES system. Our industry partner will be involved with the development and commercialization of the wireless FES system, ensuring the system becomes accessible to people with paralysis and clinicians. The outcomes will lead to fewer falls and injuries for those with SCI, resulting in greater participation in daily activities and increased quality of life.