What is Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)?

What is Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)?

 

 

FES uses a regulated medical device to stimulate nerves, using small electrical impulses to activate muscles.

 

It is used widely in rehabilitation and maintenance of function where there is muscle weakness or tightness.

 

Two adhesive patches (electrodes) are placed on the skin - one close to the nerve supplying the muscle and one over the centre of the muscle.

 

Leads connect the electrodes to a stimulator that produces the impulses.

 

 

Who is the service for?

People who have difficulty moving due to damage to their brain or spinal cord can benefit from FES - both adults and children.

 

Patients who use FES may have: 

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS),
• Cerebral Palsy (CP),
• Stroke,
• incomplete spinal cord injury,
• brain injury,
• or other neurological conditions.

 

FES is not effective with complete peripheral nerve damage. To be effective, the nerve fibres between the spinal cord and muscles need to be intact.

 

The impulses need to travel along the nerves to reach the muscles.

 

 

Are there any risks or side effects?

Stimulation causes a tingling 'pins and needles' sensation on the skin. While most people find it comfortable, a few cannot tolerate the sensation and therefore do not use it.

 

At times, even though patients are carefully assessed, we find that treatment has not helped them or they are unable to use the stimulator effectively. In these cases, stimulation will be stopped.

 

Occasionally, patients find that electrodes irritate their skin. Using hypoallergenic electrodes or changing the type of stimulation used can solve the problem.

 

Very rarely, we have found that stimulation increases the muscle tightness (spasticity) and, in these cases, treatment will be stopped.