Perspectives of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury following novel balance training involving functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback: a qualitative exploratory study

This study explores the experiences of five individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) who participated in a four-week balance training program that combined functional electrical stimulation with visual feedback (FES + VFBT). The goal was to understand how this intervention impacted their daily lives and their perceived risk of falling and balance confidence. The participants completed twelve sessions of balance training, receiving visual feedback about their center of pressure position while FES was applied to their ankle muscles. After the training, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather insights into their experiences and perceptions. The study found that participation in the FES + VFBT program led to perceived benefits that improved activities of daily living. Individuals felt more confident in their balance and some reported a decrease in their risk of falling.

• 1
  Participants reported perceived benefits across International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) levels, including physical improvements like increased muscle strength and endurance, and psychological improvements such as increased confidence.
• 2
  The study found a change in perceived fall risk and confidence, with individuals feeling more confident in their balance abilities and some feeling that they were at less risk of falling.
• 3
  Participants showed motivation to keep going with rehabilitation interventions after program completion, driven by factors such as observing physical changes in their bodies and the desire to achieve their rehabilitation goals.