What is FES and how can it help?
What is FES?
.JPG)
Functional Electrical Stimulation or FES uses stimulation to generate contractions in paralyzed and weakened muscles.- The stimulation is applied through electrodes on the skin or implanted into the muscles.
- FES requires that the nerve from the spinal cord to the muscle is intact and healthy. After prolonged periods of disuse, the stimulation is often used to build the muscle back up before FES is used to restore function.
Benefits
- FES can restore activities of everyday living such as grasping, standing and walking and make possible physical activities such as cycling and rowing.
- FES enables people with movement disorders to exercise and thus avoid secondary health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that can significantly impact quality of life and mortality.
Who can benefit from FES?
People who have lost voluntary control of their muscles, because of- Stroke
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
Physiological benefits
- Improves muscle quality (muscle bulk and strength, and blood circulation)
- Prevents or reverses bone density loss
- Improves cardiovascular function
- Improves skin health
Psychological benefits
- Improves self-image and self-esteem
- Enhances self-efficacy
- Increases social networks