Home-Based Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation for Foot Drop: Feasibility, Perceived Effectiveness in Daily Mobility Tasks, and Organizational Implications

Abstract

Background: Foot drop significantly impairs mobility and limits participation in daily activities in patients with neurological disorders. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an established treatment; however, its use in home-based settings and its organizational implications remain insufficiently explored.

Methods: Seven patients with neurological foot drop participated in this feasibility study conducted in a clinical rehabilitation setting. Following initial supervised training, participants used the FES device at home according to their individual routines. Outcome measures included patient-specific functional limitations, feasibility parameters (adherence, independence, adverse events), and patient-reported effectiveness across predefined mobility tasks. An exploratory organizational model was used to estimate potential therapist time savings.

Results: All participants were able to use the device in a home environment. No serious adverse events were observed. High perceived effectiveness was reported across daily mobility tasks (>80%), including those identified as most limiting. All participants also noted a positive impact on mobility. The exploratory organizational model indicated that a home-based approach may reduce therapist time by approximately 21–22 hours per patient, which, when applied across a larger patient population, may translate into substantial cumulative savings in therapist workload.

Conclusion: Home-based FES within a clinic-based loan model appears feasible, safe, and clinically relevant. It may represent an efficient complement to outpatient rehabilitation by improving patient mobility while reducing therapist workload and logistical burden.