Skip to main content

Evidence-Based Research

Published Research Articles

Discover the Power of Integrated FES Therapy: Backed by Over 40 Years of Research

For over 40 years, scientists have intensively researched Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), focusing on coordinated muscle contraction through peripheral nerve stimulation. This extensive research has resulted in thousands of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, showcasing the numerous benefits of FES therapy. Studies demonstrate that FES therapy significantly aids in restoring movement, even if involuntary, offering promising advancements in rehabilitation and mobility solutions. Explore the proven impact of FES therapy and how it can enhance patient outcomes.

Such activity can help:

  • Reverse the effects of muscle disuse atrophy
  • Alleviate the secondary complications(hyperlink to Secondary Complications
  • Section) associated with a sedentary lifestyle caused by immobility
  • Improve quality of life

Keeping active can...lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers, as well as reduce stress and boost mood. Inactive (sedentary) lifestyles do just the opposite.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 20 Oct. 2012. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.

Sample Publications

Muscle anatomy/physiology

 

Glucose/insulin metobolism

 

Cardiorespiratory function

 

Quality of life/Self-perception

 

Seated Pressure

 

Mobility/motor measures

 

Spasticity

 

Sensory or cognitive function

 

Arm/hand function

Muscle anatomy/physiology

 

Glucose/insulin metobolism

 

Bone structure

 

Quality of life/self perception

 

Mobility/motor measures

 

Spasticity

 

Sensory or cognitive function

i. Short term is 1 session to 12 weeks
ii. Long term is more than 3 months

Published Therapeutic Benefits

Published research has shown positive therapeutic benefits from the use of integrated functional electrical stimulation and the following secondary health conditions:

Cardiovascular

  • Pneumonia
  • Hypertension
  • Heart disease
  • Effect of lower extremity functional electrical stimulation pulsed isometric contractions on arm cycling peak oxygen uptake in spinal cord injured individuals, Brurok B, Tørhaug T, Karlsen T, Leivseth G, Helgerud J, Hoff J., J Rehabil Med, 2013
  • Cardiorespiratory responses during functional electrical stimulation cycling and electrical stimulation isometric exercise, Fornusek, C; Gwinn, TH; Heard, R, Spinal Cord, 2014
  • Passive leg movements and passive cycling do not alter arterial leg blood flow in subjects with spinal cord injury. Ter Woerds W; De Groot P.C.; van Kuppevelt D.H.; Hopman M.T., Phys Ther, 2006
  • Increased vascular resistance in paralyzed legs after spinal cord injury is reversible by training, Hopman M.T.; Groothuis J.T.; Flendrie M.; Gerrits K.H.Houtman S. J Appl Physiol, 2002

Circulation

  • Pressure sore/wound
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Sepsis
  1. Lower-Extremity Functional Electrical Stimulation Decreases Platelet Aggregation and Blood Coagulation in Persons With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study, Kahn, N.; Feldman, S.; Bauman, W., J of Spinal Cord Med, 2010
  2. Passive leg movements and passive cycling do not alter arterial leg blood flow in subjects with spinal cord injury. Ter Woerds W; De Groot P.C.; van Kuppevelt D.H.; Hopman M.T., Phys Ther, 2006
  3. Increased vascular resistance in paralyzed legs after spinal cord injury is reversible by training, Hopman M.T.; Groothuis J.T.; Flendrie M.; Gerrits K.H.Houtman S. J Appl Physiol, 2002

Quality of life

  • Independence
  • Activities of daily living
  1. Home-based functional electrical stimulation cycling enhances quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury., Dolbow DR; Gorgey AS; Ketchum JM; Gater DR, Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2013

Neurological

  1. Spasticity
    1. The effect of functional electrical stimulation cycling on late functional improvement in patients with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. E Yaşar, B Yılmaz, S Göktepe and S Kesikburun. Spinal Cord, 2015.

Metobolic

  • Weight gain
  • Diabetes
  • Muscle atrophy
  1. The effects of assisted ergometer training with a functional electrical stimulation on exercise capacity and functional ability in subacute stroke patients.Lee SY; Kang SY; Im SH; Kim BR; Kim SM; Yoon HM; Han EY, Ann Rehabil Med, 2013
  2. Functional electrical stimulation cycling improves body composition, metabolic and neural factors in persons with spinal cord injury, Griffin L.; Decker M.J.; Hwang J.Y.; Wang B.; Kitchen K.; Ding Z.Ivy J.L., J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 2009

Psychological

  • Depression
  1. Home-based functional electrical stimulation cycling enhances quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury., Dolbow DR; Gorgey AS; Ketchum JM; Gater DR, Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2013

Bone density

  • Bone fracture
  1. High-volume FES-cycling partially reverses bone loss in people with chronic spinal cord injury Frotzler A.; Coupaud S.; Perret C.; Kakebeeke T.H.; Hunt K.J.; Donaldson Nde N.Eser P., Bone Journal, 2008
  2. Bone Loss and Muscle Atrophy in Spinal Cord Injury: Epidemiology, Fracture Prediction, and Rehabilitation Strategies, Giangregorio L, McCartney N., J Spinal Cord Med, 2006
  3. RE: Dr. Oleson; Osteoporosis Rehabilitation: A practical approach to learn more about how Estim and FES function as part of the overall plan of care to preserve bone density.

Health Benefits in Transverse Meyelitis â„¢

23 year old male admitted to the hospital on August 16, 2010 for hemoptysis. On August 16, 2010 he had a thoracotomy and left lower lobe wedge resection. He had removal of previous thoracic spine hardware with an aortic interposition graft placement. He had inpatient rehabilitation from August 30 to September 16, 2010.

CVA: Improved Hemi-Attention and Motor Return

23 year old male admitted to the hospital on August 16, 2010 for hemoptysis. On August 16, 2010 he had a thoracotomy and left lower lobe wedge resection. He had removal of previous thoracic spine hardware with an aortic interposition graft placement. He had inpatient rehabilitation from August 30 to September 16, 2010.

Bilateral Improvement in Non-Traumatic SCI

23 year old male admitted to the hospital on August 16, 2010 for hemoptysis. On August 16, 2010 he had a thoracotomy and left lower lobe wedge resection. He had removal of previous thoracic spine hardware with an aortic interposition graft placement. He had inpatient rehabilitation from August 30 to September 16, 2010.

RT300 Upper Extremity C6 SCI – Judy Peck, PTA, CBIS

23 year old male admitted to the hospital on August 16, 2010 for hemoptysis. On August 16, 2010 he had a thoracotomy and left lower lobe wedge resection. He had removal of previous thoracic spine hardware with an aortic interposition graft placement. He had inpatient rehabilitation from August 30 to September 16, 2010.

This will close in 0 seconds