Clinician FAQs

All of Restorative Therapies iFES systems allow the clinician to adjust FES parameters for individual muscle groups. This customization helps to ensure that even patients with full sensation can benefit from this therapy.

Training includes instruction on how to optimize FES parameters for best outcomes including patient comfort.

Yes, patients can experience autonomic dysreflexia with the use of iFES, especially if they have a spinal cord injury above the T6 level. However, this is often manageable or preventable through customization of stimulation and therapy settings.

When the stimulation initially ramps up, the patient may exhibit symptoms of dysreflexia. The clinician is able to make adjustments to the stimulation in real-time while monitoring patient symptoms.

If the patient does experience symptoms of dysreflexia, the clinician is able to customize the patient's program to help them accommodate to the stimulation to minimize symptoms in future sessions. With regular use, the body adapts to this stimulation and the symptoms of dysreflexia often resolve.

In most cases yes, however, a physician’s clearance should be obtained. Using iFES with an implanted device may also require special consideration for electrode placement.

Yes, however, there may be a limited time immediately after implantation during which iFES shouldn’t be used to allow for adequate tissue healing. This should be determined by the patient’s physician.

Yes, iFES can be used by patients on ventilators. You may want to have your patient’s nurse or respiratory therapists present at the initial session(s) to make any ventilator adjustments if needed.

Yes, upper motor neuron lesions are a primary indicator for iFES.

Lower motor neuron lesions are not contraindicated for use of iFES. Your patient may not experience muscle contractions initially or possibly at all, however many clinicians do persist with iFES and may see sensory or motor benefit.

Restorative Therapies' stimulators have the capability to deliver expanded pulse widths, which may be beneficial for individuals with lower motor neuron injuries.

iFES systems are indicated for reduction of spasticity, improving or maintaining range of motion, improving localized circulation, and reducing muscle disuse atrophy, all of which may be part of the treatment plan for patients with brain injury.

Many patients with brain injury benefit from the use of iFES systems during inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs to aid in the achievement of functional goals. Additionally, many patients with brain injury continue the use of iFES systems such as the RT300 and RT200 as part of their ongoing in-home therapy program for long-term physical integrity and health benefits.

Yes, studies indicate positive outcomes in patients with MS. Many patients with MS benefit from the use of iFES during inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs to achieve functional goals.

Additionally, many patients with MS continue to use iFES systems such as the RT300 and RT200 as part of their ongoing in-home therapy program for long-term physical integrity and health benefits. The treatment approach with MS often differs from that of other neurological diagnoses and the clinicians at Restorative Therapies can assist you in understanding the current research and treatment options to customize your program.

Spasticity is an indicator for the use of iFES. It’s been well established in research that iFES can reduce spasms/spasticity. Many patients benefit from using iFES because the stimulation is timed with massed practice movement as a long-term method of spasticity management without the need for medication or implanted devices. Spasticity is not a barrier to use of a Restorative Therapies' iFES system because clinicians can customize stimulation and therapy settings to manage spasticity.

All of Restorative Therapies iFES systems allow the clinician to adjust FES parameters for individual muscle groups. This customization helps to ensure that even patients with full sensation can benefit from this therapy.

Training includes instruction on how to optimize FES parameters for best outcomes including patient comfort.

In most cases RT300 and RT200 can be utilized. Clinicians can adjust therapy settings to allow for accurate session results in the event of loss of limb. Accommodations can also be made if the prosthesis is donned. The RT600 may be contraindicated for a patient with a lower extremity amputation. Each case would need to be considered individually by the clinician.

Many patients with varying neurological disorders achieve functional gains as well as health benefits from the use of iFES as part of their inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation program. Patients who have limited ability to volitionally participate in traditional exercise may demonstrate functional decline, muscle mass loss, and increased spasticity when discontinuing iFES therapies.

iFES systems, most commonly the RT300 and RT200, can be prescribed for use in-home or accessed in a community-based wellness program so that patients can continue to build on the gains they made in their rehabilitation programs.

Reduced mobility commonly contributes to a variety of secondary health complications as well as re-hospitalization. Because of this, it’s very important to continue ongoing iFES therapy to avoid gaps, regression, or other complications.

Wealth is not a predictor of who gets an iFES system for home.

You should introduce all your appropriate patients to iFES therapy and allow Restorative Therapies to work with patients and their families to find reimbursement coverage, funding, or financing options.

Many insurance companies cover our systems. Restorative Therapies offers insurance reimbursement services with a full-time internal expert reimbursement team, at no cost to the patient. Our reimbursement team is dedicated and determined to help patients optimize their health insurance reimbursement outcome.

We are proud of our success in helping people secure insurance coverage. In many cases we have successfully done this after an individual has already purchased a system so you do not have a lapse in your ongoing continuum of care and can continue to help your patient achieve therapeutic benefits.

We take the burden off of the patient and work directly with their insurance company with their involvement along the way.

Our reimbursement process includes:

• Ensuring the prescription and Letter of Medical Necessity are complete and accurate
• Interacting with the patient’s insurance company on their behalf
• Working through the insurance company’s application and appeal process