Contralateral Strength Training as Preparation for Direct Strength Training in a Patient With Unilateral Foot Drop Because of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report

Direct strength training (DST) is effective in managing unilateral weakness in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Its feasibility, however, is considerably reduced if one limb is too compromised to train. In this case, contralateral strength training (CST) of the unaffected side to induce a strength transfer to the untrained homologous muscles can help to establish a strength baseline in the weaker limb, eventually allowing direct training. Limited effects for CST, however, have been reported on patient's functioning. We tested the effects on dynamometric, electromyographic and functional outcomes of a sequential combination of CST and DST of the ankle dorsiflexors in a case of MS-related foot-drop.