Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40420401›Full record

ArticleJournal of rehabilitation medicine2025

Feasibility and safety of automated multi-channel FES-assisted gait training in incomplete spinal cord injury.

Simone Berkelmans, Nadia Dominici, Maarten Afschrift, Sjoerd Bruijn, Thomas W J Janssen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. NeuroSkinSensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Simone BerkelmansDepartment of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre | Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. simoneberkelmans@gmail.com.
Nadia DominiciDepartment of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-2312-915X
Maarten AfschriftDepartment of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-9120-7925
Sjoerd BruijnDepartment of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Institute for Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-0290-2131
Thomas W J JanssenDepartment of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre | Reade, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6762-131X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe feasibility, safety, and efficacy of automated multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training was assessed in individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury, using an electrical stimulation suit with built-in surface electrodes and motion capture sensors (Teslasuit).

design10-week functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training, twice weekly for 30 min. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: Five individuals with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (≥ 12 months post-injury, ASIA C/D, minimal Walking Index Spinal Cord Injury II ≥ 9).

methodsThe quadriceps, gluteii, hamstrings, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles were stimulated bilaterally during gait. Feasibility and safety were evaluated via questionnaires, session adherence, and adverse events. Gait function was assessed using a 10 m walk test, Walking Index Spinal Cord Injury II, and Hoffer classification at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up. Surface electromyography and spatiotemporal parameters (walking speed, step length and width, cadence) were recorded during the 10 m walk test.

resultsAll participants completed the training (91% adherence) with no serious adverse events. Temporary skin redness, muscle soreness, and fatigue were reported by participants. Post-intervention, 4 participants increased their walking speed, step length, and cadence, with 2 maintaining and 2 further improving at follow-up. No consistent changes were found in muscle activity post training.

conclusionAutomated multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training was feasible, safe, and well received. Preliminary findings suggest that gait improved in most participants, though individual responses varied. The results highlight the potential of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation-assisted gait training as a valuable tool for enhancing gait recovery.

Indexed as

Electric Stimulation TherapyExercise TherapyGaitGait Disorders, NeurologicSpinal Cord InjuriesAdultElectromyographyFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle Aged

Identifiers

PMID40420401
PMCPMC12128624

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.