Effect of Russian Current Stimulation for Anterior Tibial Group on Postural Stability and Risk of Falling in Patients With Stroke

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Other: Russian Current Stimulation for Anterior Tibial Group; Other: Selected physical therapy exercise for both limbs; Other: Placebo Russian Current Stimulation for Anterior Tibial Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06793865

P.T.REC/012/005504

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to examine the effect of Russian current stimulation on Anterior tibial group on postural stability and risk of falling in patients with stroke.

Full description

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally and the main cause of disability, with ischemic strokes accounting for about 87% of cases. In 2010, over 11 million ischemic strokes occurred, predominantly in low and middle-income countries, leading to approximately three million deaths. Hemorrhagic strokes account for 13% of cases.

Egypt, with an estimated population of 85.5 million, has a high stroke prevalence of 963 per 100,000 inhabitants. Postural imbalance is a common limitation, affecting 83% of acute stroke patients, and falls are frequent across all stages of recovery, with rates as high as 73% within six months post-discharge. Even in chronic stroke patients, the fall risk remains elevated compared to age-matched controls. Postural imbalance impacts quality of life, and rehabilitation is vital for regaining independence in daily activities.

Up to 30% of stroke survivors experience significant permanent disabilities, and 20% require rehabilitation. Motor impairments, particularly in the lower limbs, limit daily activities, community participation, and quality of life. Poor lower-limb muscle performance affects balance, gait, and functionality, but interventions like Russian current have shown effectiveness in improving walking performance and motor recovery in chronic stroke survivors.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Forty patient with stroke manifest with weakness of anterior tibial group.
• Patients with moderate spasticity,
• Patient's ages ranged from 40-55 years.
• Patients BMI not exceed 30 kg/m².
• Medically and clinically stable patients.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients suffering from psychological, cognitive, or emotional disturbance.
• Patients with severe spasticity (3 or more by the modified Ashworth scale).
• Patients with atrial fibrillation.
• Patients with infectious processes.
• Patients with impaired pain sensitivity.
• Patients with epilepsy.
• Patients with lower limb joint endoprosthetics.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Russian Current Stimulation + selected physical therapy exercise

Experimental group

Description:

Patients received Russian current stimulation for 20 minutes and physical therapy for 40 minutes, 3 times/week for 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Selected physical therapy exercise for both limbs

Other: Russian Current Stimulation for Anterior Tibial Group

Placebo Russian Current Stimulation + selected physical therapy exercise

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

All patients in this group received Russian current for 20 minutes as placebo in addition to the same selected physical therapy exercise for both limbs for 40 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Selected physical therapy exercise for both limbs

Other: Placebo Russian Current Stimulation for Anterior Tibial Group