Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitative technology that supports nerve and muscle function while a patient performs certain movements. It can be combined with other equipment to provide responsive support, such as the FES bike. FES can help reduce pain during therapeutic activities while enhancing your rehab.
At Ability KC, we use FES with patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and more. But it has even more medical applications. This article provides information about FES for rehabilitation and how it works.
What is functional electrical stimulation and how does it work?
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) helps restore function in muscles, nerves, tissue and organs and is especially helpful for patients who have lost function from spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury or stroke. During FES treatments, electrodes deliver electrical impulses to activate specific muscles and nerves. Electrodes are placed on the skin. Patients may feel a tingling sensation or pins and needles, but FES shouldn’t hurt. Our patients use responsive technology like the FES bike to help restore movement in both upper and lower limbs.
How does FES fit into a comprehensive rehab plan?
There are many potential applications for FES during rehab for different conditions; for example, it can help reduce pain and improve swallowing. FES is especially helpful for maintaining muscle tone or amplifying muscle movement when a patient is unable to or has difficulty with exercise. For patients who have lost function in their limbs or their hands, FES can help them start to move and build dexterity again.
We use the following rehab technologies to help our patients recover:
- FES bike — This exercise bike for the upper or lower limbs uses FES technology to adjust resistance based on a patient’s movement and strength. Patients wear electrodes that apply small electrical pulses while they’re cycling. In addition to building strength and cardiovascular fitness, the FES bike can also help patients with breathing, grasping, transfers, standing and walking.
- Bioness L300 — The Bioness L300 uses FES to help improve foot drop and improve upper leg strength during ambulation. It can help improve gait mechanics and balance.
- VitalStim therapy — VitalStim therapy is a specialized form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) that we use to treat swallowing disorders. NMES is similar to FES, but the impulses are more directly controlled by a care provider.
- Bioness H200 — The Bioness H200 supports the wrist and hand while patients practice reaching, grasping, and pinching. It allows the fingers and thumb to move more freely and efficiently when the patient’s hand is outstretched.
- XCite — The XCite is a clinic-based FES device that provides electrical stimulation to muscle groups while performing functional tasks, such as eating, brushing hair, sitting up in bed, or moving from sit to stand. This device can be used during physical and occupational therapy.
Who can benefit from FES?
Patients recovering from serious injuries and medical events often see better treatment outcomes with FES. At Ability KC, we often will use FES during physical therapy and occupational therapy. It’s also used in hospital settings.
There are some increased risks for people who have certain conditions. You shouldn’t try FES if you’re pregnant or if you already have an implanted electrical device like a pacemaker. If you have cancer, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, muscle spasms, or clotting or bleeding problems, your care team may use alternative treatments.
FES can be helpful for people in rehab for the following conditions:
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Stroke
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Traumatic brain injury
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Spinal cord injury
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Weakness after brain or spine surgery
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Multiple sclerosis
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Cerebral palsy
Learn more about tech-assisted rehabilitation at Ability KC
Medical rehabilitation is a long process that takes determination and plenty of resilience. Technologies like FES can make it a little easier.
FES is an important part of our comprehensive day rehabilitation program and outpatient rehab at Ability KC, because it helps to facilitate improvements in motor function and overall independence. We combine multiple therapies to provide treatment plans that are personalized to help each patient recover physically, mentally and socially. Your integrated care team will work with you to help you achieve specific rehab goals.
How do you know you can trust Ability KC? We’re a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) with a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation.
Are you looking at rehab programs right now? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.