Functional electrical stimulation (FES) in cerebral palsy
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11005905 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11005905 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 347391 |
| Protocol serial number | V217/07/2024, 5649 |
| Sponsors | University of Plymouth, Torbay Medical Research Fund |
| Funder | Torbay Medical Research Fund |
- Submission date
- 31/07/2024
- Registration date
- 03/12/2024
- Last edited
- 02/09/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Nervous System Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
This is a single case series exploring the impact of an intervention called Functional Electrical Stimulation in children with cerebral Palsy and crouch gait, aged 8-18 years old. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a small pocket device, which allows for precisely timed muscle activation during walking.
The aim is to find out how FES affects the degree of knee bend when walking in children with crouch gait and cerebral palsy.
Who can participate?
Children with cerebral palsy and crouch gait, aged 8-18 years old
What does the study involve?
The study will be 20 weeks duration. Children will start with an 8-week period of Usual physiotherapy care (phase A). This is followed by a 1 week period of getting used to using FES and then an 8-week intervention phase (phase B) when FES is used every day. Before and after each phase assessments of muscle strength and walking will take place. There will be additional 45-minute weekly assessments of fatigue, muscle strength and walking.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The FES may improve walking patterns in children or young people with cerebral palsy, it may help their knee to be more straight they might find it easier and less effortful to walk with the FES on. This study may also improve our understanding of FES and whether it may be a beneficial treatment for the management of crouch gait in children and young people with Cerebral Palsy. This study may also be used to inform larger clinical studies on FES across the UK.
Doing the walking assessment on the level and up and down steps may make the children and young people (CYP) feel tired.
Sometimes the FES sticky pads which are placed on the CYP skin, to stimulate a muscle contraction can cause redness of the skin. This is a normal reaction to increased circulation and should fade within 2 hours.
Sometimes the FES can cause a skin rash (little red spots). This can occur weeks, months or even years after starting FES treatment. If this happens the CYP will be asked not to use electrodes over the skin rash and should inform the study co-ordinator straight away.
Sometimes the muscle being stimulated by the FES may feel tired or ache after using the FES. This is normal as the FES is causing the muscle to work harder. The CYP may need to take a break from using the FES or reduce the length of time they are wearing it for, until their leg muscle has got used to it.
Where is the study run from?
University of Plymouth (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2024 to April 2026
Who is funding the study?
Torbay Medical Research Fund (UK)
Who is the main contact?
harriet.hughes-5@postgrad.plymouth.ac.uk
rachel.rapson@plymouth.ac.uk
Contact information
Public, Scientific
University of Plymouth
Inter City Place
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 7971246605 |
|---|---|
| harriet.hughes-5@postgrad.plymouth.ac.uk |
Principal investigator
Child and Family Health Devon
John Parks Unit
87 Newton Rd, Torquay
Torbay
TQ2 7BA
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 7971246592 |
|---|---|
| rachel.rapson@plymouth.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Intervention study of single case series design |
| Secondary study design | Single case series |
| Participant information sheet | 45865 FES in CP young person PIS 12-18yrs V1 31_07__2024.pdf |
| Scientific title | Functional electrical stimulation for the management of crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy |
| Study objectives | Functional Electrical Stimulation applied to either the quadriceps during stance phase of gait or tibialis anterior during swing phase of gait over an 8-week period has a therapeutic effect on variations of knee flexion at initial contact and midstance in children with crouch gait and cerebral palsy. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 29/11/2024, North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1 (Summerfield House, 2 Eday Road, Aberdeen, AB15 6RE, United Kingdom; +44 (0)1224558458; gram.nosres@nhs.scot), ref: 24/NS/0123 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Cerebral palsy |
| Intervention | The intervention phase of this study is FES, a battery-powered, pocket electrical device combined with a foot switch to allow precisely timed muscle stimulation while walking. This will be compared to their usual care. The intervention period is 8 weeks and each CYP will be asked to use the FES device for between 2-4 hours a day, 6 days a week. This duration has been guided by PPI feedback on the study protocol and a RCT on the use of FES in drop foot in children with CP [26]. The FES can be worn at home and or at school depending on the preferences of the CYP. The CYP will be asked to avoid starting any new physical activities or sports during the period of FES intervention but may continue with their usual physiotherapy routine. The FES intervention including the frequency, pulse width and amplitude is tailored to the individual. It will be based on the clinical judgement of the SC, in accordance with the CYP muscle response to stimulation and in order to optimise gait performance. |
| Intervention type | Device |
| Phase | Not Specified |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Functional Electrical Stimulation |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Measured at week 0 (prior to starting Usual’ Physiotherapy), week 8 (post ‘Usual’ Physiotherapy), week 10 (prior to starting FES intervention) and week 19 (post FES intervention) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Assessed weekly during ‘Usual Care’ and ‘FES intervention’ from Week 1 – 18 |
| Completion date | 02/04/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 8 Years |
| Upper age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 12 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Diagnosis of spastic CP (GMFCS level I-III), affecting one or more muscle groups in both lower limbs, and aged 8 - 18 years 2. The ability to follow simple instructions 3. The ability to adhere to the FES protocol 4. The ability to walk 20 metres of more with or without a walking frame |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Dystonic or Athetoid CP as the sole presentation (CYP with dystonia / athetosis co-occurring with a spastic presentation can be included) 2. Selective dorsal rhizotomy or Multi level orthopaedic surgery within the last 6 months 3. Soft tissue surgery in lower limbs in the last 6 months 4. Anti-spasticity botulinum toxin injections within 3 months 5. Moderate to Severe Cognitive Impairment and/or Learning difficulties that may limit the use of FES consistently or appropriately 6. Poorly controlled epilepsy 7. Bilateral Fixed Knee Flexion deformities > 10 degrees 8. Bilateral contractures of the tendon Achilles which means they are unable to achieve plantigrade (90 degrees) in both ankles by passive movement when the knee is bent. (please note that CYP with one contracted tendon Achilles may still be considered appropriate for FES intervention) 9. CYP with a Cardiac Pacemaker 10. CYP with a malignant Tumour in the area that FES stimulation is taking place I.e., the thigh or lower leg |
| Date of first enrolment | 02/02/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/09/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Torquay
TQ2 7AA
United Kingdom
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The Chief Investigator will act as Data Custodian and will ensure that the location of the data and access to that data is shared with the Sponsor. Data will be collected and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998/General Data Protection Regulation 2018. Data generated from this study will be available for inspection on request by the participating research team, University of Plymouth representatives, the REC, local R&D Departments, and the regulatory authorities. This is in accordance with the university of Plymouth’s Research Data Management Policy which can be found here: https://plymouth.libguides.com/researchdatamanagement |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 12 - 18 years old version 1 |
31/07/2024 | 27/08/2024 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | 8 - 11 years old version 1 |
31/07/2024 | 27/08/2024 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Parent version 2 |
31/07/2024 | 27/08/2024 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version 3 | 18/09/2024 | 23/01/2025 | No | No |
Additional files
- 45865 FES childrens leaflet 8_11yrs V1 31_07_2024.pdf
- 8 - 11 years old
- 45865 FES in CP parent PIS V2 31_07_2024.pdf
- Parent
- 45865 FES in CP young person PIS 12-18yrs V1 31_07__2024.pdf
- 12 - 18 years old
- ISRCTN11005905_PROTOCOL_V3_18Sep24.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
02/09/2025: The contact confirmed the record is up to date.
24/01/2025: Ethics approval details added.
23/01/2025: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. Protocol uploaded.
2. The recruitment start date was changed from 02/01/2025 to 02/02/2025.
03/12/2024: Trial's existence confirmed by NHS HRA.
