Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in acute stroke patients while stimulating only single muscle is not known. The purpose of the study is to find the influence of early neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the motor point of tibialis anterior muscle of the affected limb in achieving early motor control of the ankle with reduction in spasticity in poststroke patients.

One hundred and thirty-two subjects were selected between 45and 65 years of age and within 2 weeks of the first attack of stroke. They were randomly divided into study and control groups comprising 66 subjects in each group. Study group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation to tibialis anterior muscle of the affected limb, 15 minutes twice daily, 5 days a week up to 3 weeks along with conventional exercise therapy whereas control group received only exercise therapy for that period. Outcome measures include Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity of ankle plantar flexors, motor power of ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors, motor control of ankle joint. They were recorded before starting treatment, after 3 weeks and at 7 weeks following starting the treatment.

Significant improvement of spasticity was noticed after 7 weeks follow-up (p=0.014). Significant improvement also noticed in ankle dorsiflexor motor power (p<0.001), ankle motor control (p=0.007).

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation along with traditional exercise programme is superior to exercise alone for early recovery of ankle motor control, plantar-flexor spasticity and ankle dorsiflexor motor strength.