Effects of regent suit on lower limb electromyographic patterns of hemiparetic subjects

During human walking, the muscle activity of the lower extremities needs to be well coordinated to provide support, dynamic balance, propulsion, and foot clearance. Clinical aspects of patients who are hemiplegic as a result of stroke vary according to the damaged region of brain tissue, its size, and the cause of damage. Functional recovery of limb mobility of patients with spinal or cerebral injuries can take great advantage of the basic role played by sensorial and proprioceptive stimulations. On this base the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences have recently developed the "Regent Suit" (RS), an experimental medical device derived from a suit worn by astronauts for therapeutical purposes during space flights. Although preliminary studies describe rehabilitation outcome of the RS in stroke, EMG changes induced by the suit are not known. Aim of the paper is to describe the effects of RS on lower limb EMG patterns on hemiparetic subjects.