Functional Electrical Stimulation and Spinal Cord Injury

• Published in: Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 631 - 654
• Main Authors: Ho, Chester H., MD, Triolo, Ronald J., PhD, Elias, Anastasia L., PhD, Kilgore, Kevin L., PhD, DiMarco, Anthony F., MD, Bogie, Kath, DPhil, Vette, Albert H., PhD, Audu, Musa L., PhD, Kobetic, Rudi, MS, Chang, Sarah R., BS, Chan, K. Ming, MD, Dukelow, Sean, MD, PhD, Bourbeau, Dennis J., PhD, Brose, Steven W., DO, Gustafson, Kenneth J., PhD, Kiss, Zelma H.T., MD, PhD, Mushahwar, Vivian K., PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2014
• Subjects: Electric stimulation; Electric Stimulation Therapy - instrumentation; Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods; Electrodes; Electrodes, Implanted; Gait - physiology; Humans; Lower Extremity - innervation; Lower Extremity - physiopathology; Muscle spasticity; Neurogenic urinary bladder; Paralysis; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Posture - physiology; Pressure ulcer; Pressure Ulcer - prevention & control; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation; Torso - innervation; Torso - physiopathology; Upper Extremity - innervation; Upper Extremity - physiopathology; Urination Disorders - therapy; Walking - physiology; Electrodes; Pressure ulcer; Spinal cord injuries; Rehabilitation; Paralysis; Electric stimulation; Muscle spasticity; Neurogenic urinary bladder
• ISSN: 1047-9651; 1558-1381
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2014.05.001

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can disrupt communications between the brain and the body, resulting in loss of control over otherwise intact neuromuscular systems. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the central and peripheral nervous system can use these intact neuromuscular systems to provide therapeutic exercise options to allow functional restoration and to manage medical complications following SCI. The use of FES for the restoration of muscular and organ functions may significantly decrease the morbidity and mortality following SCI. Many FES devices are commercially available and should be considered as part of the lifelong rehabilitation care plan for all eligible persons with SCI.