By Lisa Rosenberg
Electrical Current Stimulates muscles and nerves Produces movement Helps Individuals with Disabilities Lack of muscle control (Stroke, bladder control, neurological disorders) Passive Therapy Mechanical movement therapist assisted Active Therapy Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and mechanical movement
Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Cerebral Palsy Paraplegia Quadriplegia Urinary Incontinence Sexual Dysfunction Multiple Sclerosis Upper and Lower limb control
Combination of manual and electrical stimulation Patient imagines feeling the movement Sensory signals generated Stimulates peroneal nerves Retrains the central nervous system Unlike neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) Creates action potential Several different devices available Designed for different areas of the body
Affects individuals who have suffered through a stroke Uses Compex Motion Electric Stimulator Surface stimulation nodes Nodes are placed on areas to be stimulated Anterior and posterior deltoid Biceps and triceps brachialis Flexor and Extensor carpi radialis Flexor and Extensor carpi ulnaris
Symmetrical biphasic current pulses Pulse duration of 250 microseconds 40 Hz frequency Hand switch trigger used by therapist to time arm movements Twice a day for 1 hour sessions over 12 weeks Different movements emulated Touch nose, swing forward, left side up
Over time, therapist assisted movement is reduced to a minimum After a stroke, individuals often can not draw circles due to the shoulder and elbow coordination requirement After 12 weeks of FES patients can draw small and large circles, pick up thin objects, and touch their own nose due to the retraining of their muscles and nerves.
Gait abnormality due to MS, muscular dystrophy or ALS Peroneal nerve is stimulated Hip flexors and extensors are activated Walkaide device lifts foot while walking Improves walking endurance, speed, and lower limb muscle strength Walking speed increased 15% over 3 months 32% after 6 months 47% after 1 year
Muscles get tired rapidly due to the frequency of electrical stimulation Therapists will increase level of stimulation to battle fatigue which increases fatigue rate Important to optimize stimulation strategy Pain and skin irritation at node placement site Depression due to lack of results
Helps individuals across a large span of disabilities Costs $5,000 for device Device and therapy sessions covered by insurance Implantable devices Avoid pain and skin irritation Invasive surgery Advancement in technology More efficient and effective
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