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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.

RT300 Aids Rehabilitation in Cerebral Palsy: An Interview with Kaitlyn Clark, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist, Phoenix Children’s Hospital

With a Medical Staff of nearly 1,000 pediatric specialists, Phoenix Children’s provides inpatient, outpatient, trauma and emergency care across more than 70 pediatric subspecialties, the most comprehensive pediatric care available in the state. The Hospital’s six Centers of Excellence have grown in size and expertise to place them on par with some of the most prestigious of their kind in the US.
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Health Benefits in Transverse Meyelitis ™

Patient is a 32 y/o female who was diagnosed with idiopathic transverse myelitis at the age of 15. Pt developed secondary paraplegia T1-T4 secondary to transverse myelitis and lupus. Pt has been manual wheelchair dependent since this time. Over the course of her 17 year paraplegia she has had numerous health related issues develop secondary to inactivity.
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Improved Right Upper Extremity Motor Control Following TBI

29 year old right hand dominant male who sustained a brain injury during a skydiving accident on July 3, 2010. CT scan initially of the head was negative, but a few hours later patient developed a large left middle cerebral artery infarct resulting in right hemiplegia with aphasia. Other injuries sustained in the accident included fracture of left acetabulum and posterior dislocation of the left hip, compression fracture of T3 and T4 and a left scapular fracture.
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CVA: Improved Hemi-Attention and Motor Return

Patient was a 43 y.o. diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysm, who was admitted to Shepherd Center's inpatient ABI program. At admission, patient presented with left hemiplegia, left neglect, limited left cervical rotation passive range of motion (PROM), and difficulty following commands and answering questions.
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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.
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RT300 Upper Extremity C6 SCI – Judy Peck, PTA, CBIS

21 year old 6 ft 7 inch tall male athlete who sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident on December 29, 2006. Upon arrival at hospital he complained of inability to move LE’s, tingling and weakness in UE’s. CT scan showed C6 burst fracture. He underwent C5 posterior lateral fusion C4-C6. He was transferred to inpatient rehabilitation in Jan 2007 at Magee Rehab Hospital.
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